Organisations from across SA, including community groups, a university and a health network, have been granted funding to carry out projects to help reduce SA's suicide rate.
The SA Suicide Prevention Community Grants will help local organisations to deliver important projects to raise awareness of suicide, reduce the stigma about mental health and increase connections within communities.
The SASPCGS is run annually in line with the South Australian Suicide Prevention Plan 2017-2021.
The successful applicants all demonstrated how their new or existing projects addresses an identified need in their local area.
Organisations and community groups were awarded grants between $3250 and $10,000 to undertake projects in the 2020-21 financial year.
"Suicide has far-reaching consequences throughout communities, and I am pleased to see a wide variety of initiatives receive funding through this year's scheme," Premier's Advocate for Suicide Prevention John Dawkins said.
"This initiative can help saves lives.
"Projects which are tailored to the needs of local communities deliver the most effective outcomes, by supporting vulnerable individuals and those bereaved and impacted by suicide".
SA's Chief Psychiatrist John Brayley, said the breadth of these projects illustrated suicide prevention was everybody's business.
"Collectively, this work will engage many people to support mental health self-care, as well as breaking down stigma and encouraging help seeking when needed," he said.
Among the 19 recipients were a number of projects either targeted at rural and regional SA or could help support
The Whyalla Suicide Prevention Network will establish a space within the local community for reflection by families, friends and members of the community that will support those bereaved and impacted by suicide. The aim is to dedicate a memory to those who have taken their own lives as well as allow time for reflection for whoever feels the need including those who have attempted to take their own lives.
The University of SA's ifarmwell project will be providing brochures to all of the regional South Australian Suicide Prevention Networks and other organisations throughout the state to address the impact of cumulative disasters and stressors on farming communities including ongoing hardship, drought, bushfires and COVID-19.
Wattle Range Suicide Prevention Network will host a free public forum and supper with guest speaker The Unbreakable Farmer Warren Davies in Millicent. This event has a particular focus on farmers with an aim to improve help seeking and provide a mechanism for social connection. .
The Mid North Suicide Prevention Network has a six month project publishing two full pages in a local newspaper with health information, activities and suggestions aimed to assist keeping communities connected, updated and engaged during COVID-19 and beyond. This project aims to particularly assist the elderly and young children to keep in touch with news and activities.
The Mid-Murray Suicide Prevention Network Inc. is seeking to re-establish connectedness within community for socially isolated and at-risk people within the Mid Murray area by supporting the Ski for Life luncheon - showing of the play "Carpe Diem", distributing LGBTQIA+ friendly window stickers - improving a sense of belonging for people who might otherwise feel rejected in a rural community; and hosting a series of film nights to provide a mechanism of social connection. .
SOS Copper Coast Suicide Prevention Network will hold the first regional Picnic in the Park in synchronicity with the Adelaide based Feast Picnic in the Park. The Teddy Bear's Picnic will be a project managed collaboratively by SOS Copper Coast Suicide Prevention Network, Copper Coast Gay Straight Alliance, Port Pirie Suicide Prevention Network and the Port Pirie LGBTIQA Community group.
Life Without Barriers - Riverland has a project aimed at Aboriginal men aged 13 and older participating in discussion and group based hands on activities including art and music therapy, rhythmic drumming and other activities aimed at increasing suicide prevention awareness by connection back to cultural values and practices.
The South Coast Suicide Prevention team intends to provide students from local public secondary school, Victor Harbor High School the opportunity to attend The Champions Workshop with Nic Newling an international speaker with lived experience of suicide. The South Coast Suicide Prevention Team will then work with the school and Student Representative Council to develop positive messages/art work to be published on posters/coasters and then distributed in the local community.
Nunkuwarrin Yunti intend to create a series of posters depicting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people speaking openly to social and emotional challenges and encouraging self-care, community care and help seeking, targeting distribution to places that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people frequent in SA and online. .
Grieflink Inc intend to use their grant to increase the accessibility of the suicide related grief information provided on the Grieflink website by adding audio and developing podcasts to address issues related to suicide and suicide loss. .
Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation aims to make South Australia the first state to develop a Mental Health Charter for our sporting communities. This project will result in inclusive mental health education, practice and leadership and will enable each sporting community to normalise the mental health conversation and assist people with mental health challenges to fully engage and participate in sport. .
Seeds of Hope Suicide Prevention Network - Barossa will distribute the newly developed "Are Your Mates Okay?" resource brochure throughout the entire Barossa Council Region. This brochure contains suicide prevention, mental health and community services contact details relevant to the region as well as providing guidance to community members on how to go about checking in on a mate.
Feast Adelaide Queer Arts and Cultural Festival will host a 12-week drop in program for LGBTIQ+ young people focusing on mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention by presenting a series of relevant and engaging workshops focusing on arts and community cultural activities building creativity, engagement, resilience and community connection.
- Lifeline 13 11 14
Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Sign up here to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
