Sixty locals to be trained in mental health first aid
Coorong Conversations Matter and the Murray Bridge Suicide Prevention Network have received funding to provide essential training to their communities.
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Two local suicide prevention networks have both been awarded $6000 in funding to provide essential training to their members.
A total of 35 volunteer community groups across the state gained funding through Preventive Health SA.
Among the recipients were Coorong Conversations Matter and the Murray Bridge Suicide Prevention Network (SPN).
The Coorong Conversations Matter (SPN) received $6000 in funding to provide 50 members with the opportunity to undertake Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFA).
Pauline Linke, chair of Coorong Conversations Matter SPN, said the network was working to increase awareness and de-stigmatise mental illness in partnership with the Coorong District Council.
"Suicide prevention is a priority, especially as the statistics are alarmingly on the increase," she said.
The situation farmers are currently facing due to this season's drought and earlier frosts is a concern and support for them is being addressed, she said.
"It is extremely important that communities have the tools to support those in distress," she said.
"The funding that we have received will go to MHFA training over the first half of the year."
The Coorong Conversations Matter SPN will offer standard MHFA courses in addition to youth MHFA training in both Meningie and Coonalpyn.
Being aware and educated on the different types of mental health issues and types of professionals will help to assist the community, she said.
Murray Bridge SPN to help 100 South Australians
Grant funding of $6000 was also given to the Murray Bridge SPN to provide 10 of their members with the opportunity to undertake Roses in the Ocean training, resulting in a direct benefit to 100 South Australians over 2024-25.
Roses in the Ocean is a lived experience of suicide organisation which helps developed best practice in lived experience engagement, integration and partnership.
The organisation offers various workshops to help provide education and training for people with a lived experience of suicide.
Suicide is the number one cause of death for South Australians aged 15–44 years.
While suicide is a complex issue and is often not preceded by a single event or condition, Preventative Health SA recognise it is a preventable cause of death and creating caring, compassionate communities can help people to ask for and offer help.
Volunteers in local clubs and community groups are a trusted source of support for many rural communities.
The South Australian Suicide Prevention Grants aim to prevent suicide in South Australia by building compassionate, safe and resilient communities through skill building, education and training.
- Get help: Talk to your GP; find a local mental health service that suits you at murraymallee.servicesdirectory.org.au; call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636; or, in an emergency, call 000.
