Driven from a passion for helping others and a connection to the community, eight locals banded together in 2018 to establish the Bundaberg Regional Suicide Prevention Network.
The local organisation includes a mixture of professionals and community-minded people who help to create awareness while connecting residents to services available in combating the scourge on society that is suicide.
Their work has been profiled as part of Bundaberg Regional Council’s Our People Our Stories initiative which aims to celebrate community members and organisations who go above and beyond.
Chair David Facer said being part of the Bundaberg Regional Suicide Prevention Network was about encouraging the community to make conversations with one another.
“Being involved in the network is being a part of developing something greater than yourself, endeavouring to save life through sharing time and knowledge with a wider community who may be losing hope,” he said.
“Although the national awareness day is marked on September 10, suicide prevention is a daily activity and increasing our awareness as individuals and as a community goes a long way to achieving a better, more caring community for the future.”
Network member Chris Foley added that the organisation was focused on preventing suicide through connection, collaboration, and education.
“What drives me to be part of this group is doing what I can to have a positive impact in someone’s life by creating supportive relationships throughout the tough periods,” Chris said.
“We are community-orientated people working together to combat suicide.”
Since the establishment four years ago, the Bundaberg Regional Suicide Prevention Network has hosted a number of community events and initiatives.
The organisation was responsible for the Resilience Forum in 2019, the annual Out of the Shadows Walk and the school art exhibition and the Dog Walk for Suicide Prevention in 2020.
Committee members are also heavily involved in R U OK Day, World Suicide Prevention Day and Queensland Mental Health Week events.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact the Suicide Prevention Network here or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Great Work, Chris ????