Talk Suicide Summer 2016

TALK SUICIDE
e-NEWS
Summer 2016

CARE AND SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE AT RISK OF SUICIDE

DIRECTOR'S UPDATE

Happy New Year and welcome to CAPS first newsletter for 2016.

I hope that you all had a happy and safe Christmas and New Year break and are launching into 2016 with a sense of meaningful direction.

Having recharged our batteries over the Christmas break, we at CAPS have jumped into 2016 with an invigorated sense of purpose, gratitude for our committed supporters and anticipation for what this year has in store.

The past couple months have seen us forge new and valuable relationships that aim to support CAPS in strengthening our sustainability and evidence base for our unique model of care. I will be sure to keep you posted on the progress of these endeavours in future editions.

I thought given the new year, it might be worth while giving you all a refresher on what CAPS is all about and what we do to help reduce the number of lives lost to suicide.

CAPS aim is to reduce the prevalence of suicide by offering services that educate, raise awareness and above all provide emotional and practical support to those at risk of suicide and their family and friends. Our goal is to help individuals find strength in their ability to cope, to improve their emotional wellbeing and build resilience in order to manage the challenges that life presents.

More specifically, CAPS TALK SUICIDE Support Service (TSSS) provides ongoing, non-clinical, emotional and practical support to individuals, families and friends of those at risk of suicide in the Brisbane area and surrounds.

CAPS TSSS:

Provides non-clinical and non-therapeutic emotional support to those at risk of suicide, for the purpose of enhancing well being, self-reliance and resilience.
Provides ongoing, consistent and holistic practical support to those at risk of suicide for the purpose of reducing stress, enhancing protective factors and reducing risk.
Leads and manages a coordinated, integrated, and cohesive multidisciplinary continuum of care response to those who are at risk of suicide
Links those at risk of suicide into appropriate services, supports and treatments across a variety of sectors and disciplines that will ensure a continuity of care
Links those who are supporting someone at risk of suicide into appropriate services and supports
Where necessary and appropriate, leads a coordinated, integrated and cohesive response to those who are supporting someone at risk of suicide
Supports and provides encouragement and where necessary information and training to those individuals, groups or organisations who are supporting someone at risk of suicide

In addition, CAPS TSSS provides suicide awareness, prevention and intervention education and skills training to community organisations and individuals to increase the capacity of individuals to recognise, respond and support those at risk.

This year, we aim to work hard at increasing public awareness of the services we offer for the purpose of not only raising general awareness of suicide but to make sure that every one from every walk of life knows that there is support available and people who care.

We ask you, our friends and supporters, to help us spread this message throughout your network and in your daily life, because as I mention quite regulary - no one is immune.

Kind regards,
Shana Challenor, Director

Sector Highlights

In this new segment we will provide links to research, discussion papers, and the latest news in the suicide prevention arena in the hope of increasing public awareness and knowledge of the many facets and variables involved in suicide risk, prevention and intervention. To read any of the articles below, please click the headline.

The Latest Headlines

Healing The Walking Wounded: How Veterans Are Combating Suicide On Home Soil

Geelong Cats star Mitch Clark to lead fundraising motorcycle ride

Suicide prevention: Lifesavers to look out for surfies and tradies who want to talk

Critical response program to tackle high WA Indigenous suicide rate

Website and postcards set to help reduce stigma around suicide in Australian farming communities

Potential Anti-Suicide Drug Identified

Music makes a difference to those at risk of suicide

ACT Assembly launches youth suicide inquiry

Friends bereaved by suicide more likely to kill self

Genetic Factors May Increase Risk of Eating Disorder and Suicide

Second Victoria police suicide in a week puts spotlight on officers' mental health

Risk for suicide threefold among adults with concussion

Young Minds Matter: Depression, psychological distress, self-harming and suicidal behaviour in Australian adolescents

Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour in Women – Issues and Prevention

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 or attend your local Community Mental Health Service or Emergency Department at your nearest Hospital. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide and requires ongoing non-crisis support, or you are worried about someone please contact: TALK SUICIDE Support Service 1800 008 255.

Immediate Crisis Contacts
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
Salvo Careline - 1300 363 622

Additional Support
Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800
Mensline - 1300 789 978
Gay and Lesbian Welfare Association - 1800 184 527
Domestic Violence Hotline - 1800 811 811

* CAPS TALK SUICIDE Support Service provides ongoing practical and emotional support to those at risk of suicide and their family and friends. For more information visit www.caps.org.au

Talking Suicide

Talking Suicide

Welcome to the seventh instalment of the Talking Suicide Information and Education Series.

To date, we have aimed to arm you with general knowledge of key elements and variables that play a part in recognising someone at risk of suicide. In the coming editions we are going to focus more on the 'How to' when responding to someone at risk.

The first element and perhaps one of the most important is Supportive Communication. Supportive Communication underpins everything that you say and do in the helping role and can make or break the openness and trust that you ultimately need to build in order to provide even the most basic level of support.

Talking Suicide - Supportive Communication

Opening the lines of communication between yourself and a person at risk or in distress can be extremely difficult as they are often feeling hopeless and helpless about their situation. In order to do this you will need to use effective and supportive communication skills to build trust that will make the person feel comfortable and confident talking to you.

Supportive communication involves providing a safe and supportive place and space for the person to discuss the issue/s behind pain. Just by listening, you provide an opportunity for someone to explore their pain.

[Read More...]

Upcoming Events

2016 Peach Tree Trek
Brisbane
1st May 2016

This year, Trekkers will enjoy a leisurely 22km walk along the Brisbane River from Orleigh Park (West End), to New Farm Park (New Farm) and back again. Does 22km sound too far? No problems! For Trekker's wishing to only walk half-way (11km), Brisbane City Cats are available to return you to West End in style. What more could you ask for!

So come on Brisbane! Let's put on our walking shoes and prove en masse that perinatal and infant mental health is an important issue in our community. Let's create some talk and attention for mothers and families experiencing such potentially life threatening illness. Together we can make a difference!

For more information click here

2016 National Suicide Prevention Conference
Canberra
24th - 27th July 2016

The 2016 National Suicide Prevention Conference (NSPC) with the theme Connecting Culture, Context & Capabilities will explore ways in which culture and context can improve implementation of suicide prevention. We will learn from Indigenous and cultural community leaders, build organisational capabilities and continue to feature lived experience.

The Conference is recognised as the leading educative opportunity to advance our knowledge of suicide prevention. It provides a platform for the exchange of ideas to help achieve our national agenda of halving suicides in Australia over the next decade. Participation in the Conference will demonstrate to your colleagues and supporters the importance of this work and showcase your organisation’s commitment to this collaborative approach.

For more information click here

For more information about upcoming events in 2015 stay tuned to our quarterly editions of Talk Suicide E-News.

Please Give for Life

Help us to Help Others

As a self funded not-for-profit, we rely heavily on the generosity of individuals and organisations for financial donations and gifts-in-kind to enable us to continue operating our TALK SUICIDE Support Service.

A BIG thank you to all of our past and present donors. We look forward to your continued support in the coming year.

If you would like to make a donation to CAPS to help us continue supporting those at risk of suicide, please click on the Donate Now link below.

For more information on other ways your organisation may be able to show your support, please visit caps.org.au or click here

Donate Now

Interested in Volunteering?

The benefits of Volunteering include expanding your skills and experience and increasing your employability. If you are undertaking study, volunteering can help to give you real world experience and context to your field of study. Most importantly, by volunteering your time and skills, you are helping to enable CAPS to continue working with those at risk of suicide and their families.