VU & Lifeline World Suicide Prevention Day Walk

Lifeline Western Melbourne will recognise World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September for the first time with an Out of the Shadows Walk in Footscray. 

The event allows opportunity to join together with other members of the local community to unite in the hope of making a difference and to raise much needed awareness and funds for suicide prevention in Western Melbourne. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between the ages of 15 and 44, and the suicide rate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is twice that of their non-Indigenous counterparts (ABS,2022). 

The intention of World Suicide Prevention Day is to shine a light on the issue aiming to reduce the stigma around the topic and encourage conversation about it in a beneficial way and help those facing crisis to feel more comfortable reaching out and accessing the support they need. Lifeline also encourages people to ‘reach in’ also, by asking people if they are ok and being alongside them as they answer. 

Head of Corporate and Community Partnerships VIC, Michael Parker says “it is through awareness that we grow a greater understating of suicide and the impact it has on Australian’s every day. Whether it is those in crisis experiencing suicidal thoughts, those with lived and living experience of suicide or those bereaved, talking through things can help to bring suicide out of the shadows so we can shine a light on this important issue. We will be walking nine laps of the oval in recognition of the nine lives lost to suicide in Australia each day”.

“Each year, over 1 million people in Australia reach out to Lifeline for support, showing the importance of services like Lifeline being available for anyone, at a time and place that works for them. Lifeline’s 13 11 14 crisis support line receives a call every 28 seconds, and it is thanks to a network of 41 centres, 10,000 volunteers, and 1,000 employees providing a lifesaving national point of connection, that allows us to continue to meet this demand”.

“Local Lifeline centres like the one in Western Melbourne raise funds to support the role they play in the national network, recruiting and training crisis supporters so that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone. We ask those who can, to consider making a donation in support of Lifeline Western Melbourne’s work in the region”, says Parker. 

Lifeline Western Melbourne is inviting people to come together to remember loved ones lost to suicide and show support for action to prevent suicide at its Out of the Shadows Walk on World Suicide Prevention Day. Everyone is welcome to attend, and the walk is accessible for all levels of mobility. The event will take place 10 September Footscray Park Oval, behind Victoria University (VU) Footscray campus. 

Participants are asked to register for the walk at westernmelbourne.lifeline.org.au so Lifeline notify participants of any changes due to weather conditions and cater appropriately. The theme of World Suicide Prevention Day this year is We all have a role to play. Mr Parker said “on World Suicide Prevention Day, and every other day, Lifeline is here to listen to people in times of crisis and to offer hope, but on September 10 we can all take action to show we care about suicide prevention and want to create change to prevent more lives being lost to suicide.” 

“To anyone who is doing it tough, please reach out for help through 13 11 14 or our other support services. You do not have to face your struggles alone”, Parker says.

Victoria University has a strong partnership with Lifeline Western Melbourne, forming which formed in 2023 with the opening of a Crisis Support centre at the VU St Albans Campus. The VU team is hosting the Out of the Shadows Walk at their Footscray Park Campus and walking as a team, as part of their ongoing support of Lifeline Western Melbourne. VU Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said: “VU partners we partner with organisations whose principles reflect ours, and that of our students and staff, so we are honoured to be adding value to the critically important work of Lifeline.” 

Register online

Lifeline support: 

• 24 hr crisis support: Telephone: 13 11 14 l Text: 0477 13 11 14 l Chat online: www.lifeline.org.au ;

• Face to face and video counselling bookings: 1300 152 854 

• Local resources, training and bereavement support – westernmelbourne.lifeline.org.au. 

If this story raises issues for you, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or 13 Yarn on 13 92 76.