By Aaron Cordy
A YEAR on from the floods, health and wellbeing is on the mind of many in the Goulburn Valley. As with such traumatic events, there are spikes in depression, isolation and suicidal ideation, after people deal with the trauma and loss of control a natural disaster can cause.
We need to know we’re not alone, as individuals and as a community.
To ensure we are not left alone, The Department of Health Victoria has funded LivingWorks to set up suicide prevention and intervention workshops and training in the Greater Shepparton, Rochester and Echuca regions.
LivingWorks is a mission-driven organisation aimed at suicide prevention, empowering everyone to play a role. With an array of integrated training programs to meet every need, they provide communities and organisations with suicide prevention and intervention solutions.
The funding will cover a range of community training for individuals and groups. Courses include: LivingWorks ASIST and Indigenous ASIST, LivingWorks safeTALK and safeYARN, LivingWorks Start and LivingWorks Faith. All offer different levels of suicide prevention and intervention skills training.
In Rochester earlier this year, LivingWorks trained all the senior secondary students along with the teachers. The idea is that safer communities are built when people trained in suicide prevention skills can confidently reach in and start conversations with those around them who may be having thoughts of suicide, and then take steps to help keep them safe. LivingWorks regularly trains schools, workplaces, sports clubs, community groups and others to build networks of safety, and people who are trained can then also take their skills back into their daily lives to support loved ones.
For more information call: 1300-738-382, or Email: info@livingworks.com.au
