People who have lost someone to suicide might not know how to share their story but a workshop at Corlette aims to give them the skills and confidence to do just that.
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The Port Stephens Suicide Speaker Bureau is a free, one day, skills-based workshop developed by Lifeline’s community manager Robyn Lawrence.
Ms Lawrence said two highly trained and experienced facilitators will gently take participants through a process with lots of love and support.
“It is important for people to be able to share their story because it can help take the anxiety out of having conversations with people,” Ms Lawrence said.
“It is part of the grieving process and beneficial for other people to feel they can have an open conversation with a bereaved person.
“[But] there are some important ‘dos and don’ts’ when speaking about suicide to help protect the story teller as well as the listener.”
Ms Lawrence said helping people to talk about suicide breaks down the stigma around suicide that still exists in the community.
She said this was particularly timely with suicide rates are at a 10-year-high - about 3000 deaths annually – double the national road toll.
Lifeline and Ports Stephens Suicide prevention Network also run a Survivors of Suicide (SOS) support group on the fourth Monday of the month at Tomaree Library.
“Speaking groups have helped people to communicate better for years so we have taken that concept to help local people to safely speak about their experience off loss to suicide,” Ms Lawrence said.
Lifeline Hunter Central Coasts’ new Suicide Speaker Bureau is being offered for the first time at the Corlette Community Hall on Monday June 5 from 9am to 5pm.
The workshop is funding by the Primary Health Network and is free to attend. People who wish to take part should call 4940 2000 or email reception@lifelinehunter.org.au.
If this story raises issues or concerns for you call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
