Celebrities speak out for suicide prevention

A little plug for an organisation I am so proud to have worked with on some different projects… Suicide Prevention Australia.

To learn more about SPA, visit the website here.

Media release for World Suicide Prevention Day – contact Kim Borrowdale on (02) 9223 3333

Australian celebrities have joined together to voice the importance of reaching out and getting connected this World Suicide Prevention Day.

Suicide Prevention Australia (SPA) supporter Trish Heagerty, lost her husband to suicide last year. She came to SPA wanting to raise awareness of suicide prevention services and support in a bid to spare others from the pain she and her loved ones have endured since his death; as well as the pain he experienced.

Trish is a food stylist and used her media contacts to partner with creative and passionate crew and celebrities including Steve Waugh, Commando Steve Willis, Jessica Rowe, Justine Clarke, Luke Carroll, Alex Perry, Jesinta Campbell and Mia Freedman.

Convenor of the National Coalition for Suicide Prevention and Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Sue Murray, said of the video:

“In Australia more than 2500 people take their lives a year. With every 1 suicide death, it is estimated that between 10 and 100 people are directly impacted. That is, 10-100 people that knew that person.”

“This year’s World Suicide Prevention Day theme is all about making the connection. Sadly, we are all connected to suicide and at some time in our lives will be looking to access the right services at the right time – for others or ourselves.”

Sue went on to add, “On a personal note, we are so grateful to people like Trish, with a lived experience of suicide, who have the strength to constructively share their story to raise awareness. Thank you to everyone involved in this powerful and moving project.”

 

 

Key facts

• Every year, over 800,000 people in the world die from suicide; this roughly corresponds to one death every 40 seconds.
• The number of lives lost each year through suicide exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined.
• Each year 65,000 Australian’s attempt to take their own lives (there are on average 130,000 total deaths per year in Australia) – of these attempts – Australia loses approximately 2,500 loved ones.
• The Australian National Coalition for Suicide Prevention is working to half this in ten years. But they need help from every Australian. As you can see from the numbers, everyone is connected to suicide. It is everyone’s business.