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NALAG Suicide Prevention Network (NSPN)
Awareness,
Training, Support, Intervention
What is Suicide?
More than 2000 Australians
each year take their own lives. This number is 1.5 times the
national average of deaths accounted for by motor vehicle
accidents in the same period. For many in the community,
suicide remains an issue that is difficult to talk about.
The loss of a person to
suicide has profound effects on not just the immediate family,
but also on their friends, workplace and community. People
from all walks of life take their lives. The cause of suicide is
very individualistic and often results from a complex mix of
factors including life events, mental health issues, physical
health problems, social isolation and the ability to cope with
life stressors.
Those bereaved by suicide
may experience shock, numbness, disbelief, searching for
answers, anguish and pain, physical and emotional stress, blame,
anger, guilt, despair, fear or depression. During the first
few weeks or months after a suicide, many may find that family
and friends are all that is needed. However, many people also
find that support can fall away after a while, leaving them to
deal with the longer-term grieving process alone. It is common
for those who were close to the person to want to talk about the
death and this is when NALAG and the NALAG Suicide Network can
be helpful.
What is the NALAG Suicide Network?
T he
NALAG Suicide Network (NSN) is dedicated to promoting awareness,
providing training, intervention and support to those affected
by or seeking information on suicide.
Awareness: The NSN
aims to increase community awareness, promote knowledge of
suicide and advocate for the needs to those bereaved by suicide.
Training: Training in
the area of suicide risk assessment, intervention and
postvention skills is provided to professionals and community
members regularly through NALAG Suicide Network.
Intervention: If you
are in crisis please contact the Mental Health Information and
Support line on 1800 011 511 in the first instance.
Support: NALAG and the
NSN provide a suicide bereavement support group for those
bereaved by suicide, healing camps, grief days and a variety of
group programs. NALAG also offers the Blue Healers Depression
Program for mild to moderate depression sufferers.
Assessment: Prediction
for suicide is never easy. However, there are known risk
factors, and together may offer a better accuracy of prediction
for suicidal risk.
One method is SAD
PERSONS:
S: Sex.
Men are more
likely to commit suicide than women.
A: Age.
In 2006 research indicated that individuals aged between 15 and
24 were at an elevated risk of suicide.
D:
Depression.
The suicide rate for those
who are clinically depressed is about 20 times greater than for
the general population.
P: Prior History.
Roughly 80% of completed
suicides were preceded by a prior attempt.
E:
Ethonol abuse.
Alcohol and/or drug abuse increase risk.
R: Rational thinking loss.
Psychosis
(‘I heard a voice saying I should kill myself’) increases risk.
S: Support system loss.
Loss of support can vary
tremendously. For kids and adolescence it can be the break up of
their first ‘puppy love’ which they can take seriously and may
be viewed as trivial by parents. Separation, Divorce and loss of
a relative can also be another trigger for kids. For adults the
loss of a
spouse or parent can be devastating.
O:
Organised
plan.
This speaks
for itself. Having a method in mind creates more risk.
N:
NO significant other.
See “S” above.
S: Sickness.
Terminal illness, such as
cancer and AIDS, also carried with it a 20 fold increase in risk
of
suicide
compared to the general population.
If you know someone who may be at
risk please contact Mental Health Information and Support line
on 1800 011 511 in the first instance or your seek help at your
local hospital.
Getting help for those
bereaved by suicide
By Phone
Individuals can
access the services of the NALAG Centre for Loss & Grief Dubbo
by phone on 02 6882 9222.
By Referral
Agencies and
community services can refer individuals by completing a
Referral Form and faxing to our Centre on 02 6884 9100. Download
our
Referral Form.
In Person
The NALAG Centre
in Dubbo has an office building with counseling rooms and is
located in Welchman Street, Dubbo NSW. For a map please click
here. The Centre is open
Tuesday to Thursday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Appointments are
by prior arrangement only. The NALAG Centre is not a crisis
Centre and all emergencies should be directed to the appropriate
agency or to the outpatient unit of your local Hospital.
Cost
NALAG is a not for profit
organisation. The NALAG Centre for Loss & Grief Dubbo provides
grief and loss support to all people regardless of financial
circumstances and provides these services completely
FREE
of charge. The Blue Healers Depression Program and the
Bereavement Buddy Program is also offered FREE to suitable
participants.
Please note that NALAG
Centre and the NALAG Suicide Network are not crisis
services and if yourself or someone you know
R equire
immediate assistance please make contact with your local
hospital or the Mental Health Information and Support
line on 1800 011 511.
Download the
NSPN Brochure.
NALAG
Suicide Network Committee
Trudy Hanson OAM
Grief Counsellor, Educator
Manager NALAG Centre for Loss & Grief Dubbo
Ph: 02 6882 9222
Email:trudyh@hwy.com.au
Ann-Maree Hartley
Psychologist
Ph: 045 020 8191
Email: annmaree.hartley@gmail.com
Would you like to join the NALAG Suicide Network?
Please contact the NALAG Centre for
Loss & Grief Dubbo or a committee member above .
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