Wesley Mission: Community focus key to long-term suicide prevention strategyVigilance, persistence and a community-based focus must
be at the centre of a national suicide prevention strategy, according to Wesley
Mission following the release today of the ABS 2014 data on causes of death by
self-harm.
The
latest data shows that
2864 people took their own lives in 2014. The rate has increased from 10.9
deaths by suicide per 100,000 Australians in 2013 to 12.0 deaths in
2014.
Wesley
Mission which founded Lifeline in 1963 and continues to operate Lifeline Sydney
& Sutherland also provides suicide prevention training through Wesley
LifeForce. It believes an enduring community focus will be an important factor
in addressing Australia’s suicide rate.
“Suicide
does not discriminate: it touches all sections of society and calls for a whole
of community, preventive approach,” Dr Garner said. “People need to know that
they are not alone.
“Deaths
can be prevented: simple effective interventions can make a difference and save
lives.”
The latest figures show that the rate is highest among males over 85
years.
“As our population ages more Australians will be living
on their own and not by choice,” Dr Garner said. “We need connected and
integrated communities that build awareness, skills resilience and capacity.
Too many of our fellow Australians are living without
hope
Lifeline
Sydney & Sutherland answered more than 33,000 calls last year while Wesley
LifeForce has trained more than 30,000 Australians in suicide prevention. The training helps people
identify when someone may be at risk of suicide and then take appropriate action
like linking the person to a qualified health
professional.
Wesley LifeForce has also helped establish and support more than 60 suicide prevention community networks
across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Australia.
“Suicide prevention networks are one of the most effective ways of
raising community awareness about suicide,” Dr Garner said. “The networks
empower members to develop appropriate local suicide prevention strategies. They
are also supported by suicide prevention education and skills training,
including a new culturally Aboriginal and Torres Strait
program.
“The national training program helps people in the community recognise
when someone they know may be at risk of suicide. It provides resources and
tools for them to then take appropriate action, linking the person to a
qualified health professional. The networks are also effective because they
address the specific needs of a community at a grass roots
level.” <저작권자 ⓒ christianreview 무단전재 및 재배포 금지>
|
|