Lifeline encourages the community to work together to prevent suicide

Lifeline encourages the community to work together to prevent suicide

Lifeline encourages the community to work together to prevent suicide teaser

09 Oct 2018

World Suicide Prevention Day is an opportunity for the community to start conversations and work together to help reduce the stigmas about suicide, according to Lifeline WA.

The theme of this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) is ‘Working together to prevent suicide’.
 
Suicide is the leading cause of death for West Australians between the ages of 15 and 44, and 371 people died by suicide in 2016.
 
Lifeline WA CEO Lorna MacGregor said it was tragic that WA had the third highest suicide rate in the country (behind the Northern Territory and Tasmania).
 
Ms MacGregor said it highlighted how important it was for the WA community to work together to reduce stigmas.
 
“It’s up to each of us not to ignore the signs that someone we know is having suicidal thoughts,” she said.
 
“We all have a role in preventing suicide. We have to work together as a community to let people know it’s OK to talk about suicide.”
 
Ms MacGregor said there were three steps to take if people suspected someone they know was contemplating suicide; Ask, Listen and Stay, and Get Help.
 
“If you think someone might be suicidal, ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide. It’s OK to be direct, it can be a circuit-breaker and it shows you care and are willing to talk about it,” she said.
 
“If someone opens up to you about their suicidal thoughts, just listen. It’s important to stay with them, or get someone else to come and stay with them while you seek help from an organisation like Lifeline, or their GP.”
 
Ms MacGregor said that suicide is preventable, and taking these steps could save a person’s life.
 
 

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