TALK SUICIDE
e-NEWS
Winter 2015

CARE AND SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE AT RISK OF SUICIDE    
THE DIRECTORS CUT
Director, Shana Challenor
These past few months have once again been filled with speaking engagements aimed at raising awareness of suicide throughout our communities. In addition, we had an overwhelming response from professionals and family carers supporting those at risk of suicide wanting to register for our next Suicide Intervention and Support Skills Training Program based on the CAPS model of care.

Our hat goes off to the countless individuals that provide day in-day out support to those at risk. This job, be it as a professional or as a family carer is strenuous, stressful and overwhelming to say the very least. For carers, some of the (many) challenging aspects of supporting someone at risk is the extreme individuality of suicide; the absence of an A + B = C formula to stop someone from suiciding; and the harsh reality that no one person can control another's thoughts, behaviours or actions. 

Whilst there is no magic formula in supporting someone at risk, we believe that some of the most important things for professionals and carers to have (based on our experience in supporting those at risk) is knowledge of the many facets of suicide in general; confidence in their ability to support; skills to communicate; and an array of support "tools" in their "toolkit" that they can call upon on any given day, in individual circumstances, when supporting their clients or loved ones.

We are truly excited by every opportunity we have to share our unique model of care in supporting those at risk and increase community awareness of suicide in hope that future years will see not only more confident and  prepared  communities who are trained in recognising the signs of suicide and how to respond, but individuals who possess the knowledge and skills to provide ongoing support both in and outside times of crisis.

In  coming months we will be actively seeking funding from various sources to enable us to deliver additional Suicide Intervention and Support Skills Training to those in the community who feel they need more tools in their toolkit including professionals, family and friends who are playing the support role each and every day.
 
Kind regards,
Shana Challenor, Director
Fun Ways to Fundraise
As most of you are probably aware, CAPS receives no Government funding. We rely solely on the generosity of individuals and businesses in the community to help us continue supporting those at risk of suicide. 

We understand that not all of you might have the funds to make a donation, but this doesn't mean that you can't show your support in other ways. Support can come from many sources and in many forms including, for example, through personal fundraising.

Just recently, CAPS received a donation for over $3000 from our long time supporters Ed Annand and Holly High. The innovative way Ed and Holly raised these funds was a great example of how everyday people can help raise a substantial amount of money to help us continue our work. How did they do it, I hear you ask? Well, Ed and Holly recently got married (a Big Congratulations to them both!). Instead of asking their wedding guests for gifts or signing up to a gift registry, Ed and Holly decided to ask for donations to CAPS in leui of gifts! Needless to say, guests were more than happy to oblige!

This is just one example of how you could make a difference without dipping too heavily into your own piggy bank!

Another example might be to undertake fundraising as part of an event or activity such as the upcoming Bridge to Brisbane. If you are planning on entering this or others events, why not ask friends, family and work colleagues to support your efforts and raise money for a worthy cause. For more information on fundraising as part of  the 2015 Bridge to Brisbane click here.

For other ways you can show your support, visit www.caps.org.au or contact us on 1800 008 255 to discuss your support idea.

 
Talking Suicide 
Talking Suicide 

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

Following on from last quarters Risk Factor Information Sheet, this edition we explore Protective Factors to provide some insight into what research tells us about how we can work towards decreasing risk and improving resiliency.


Talking Suicide - Protective Factors

When considering those at risk of suicide the focus is most often placed on identifying risk factors and warning signs that indicate the individual might be considered at elevated risk. However the great majority of people who may have an elevated risk profile do not go on to attempt or complete suicide. Why is this?
 
Protective factors are characteristics; traits; life experiences; practices; skills; strengths; or meaningful connections that help people deal more effectively with stressful events and moderate or act as a buffer to protect against suicide. Essentially they are those characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide.
 
There has been a great deal of research into risk factors associated with increased suicide risk, however, there has not been as an extensive or as rigorous examination of protective factors. Most people can readily name multiple suicide risk factors yet find it challenging to name more than a few protective factors. 



[Read More...]
 
Upcoming Events

16th International Mental Health Conference 
Surfers Paradise, Qld 
12 - 14 August 2015


You are invited to join us as we address the conference theme “Mental Health Future For All” across the broad spectrum of mental disorders including Anxiety, Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Bipolar, Dementia and Suicide.

This conference will bring together leading clinical practitioners, academics, service providers and mental health experts to deliberate and discuss Mental Health issues confronting Australia and New Zealand.

The conference program will be designed to challenge, inspire, demonstrate and encourage participants while facilitating discussion. The program will include an extensive range of topics with keynotes, concurrent sessions, workshops and posters.

For more information

e conference@anzmh.asn.au
w www.anzmh.asn.au

2015 Annual Roses in The Ocean Charity Gala Evening 
St Lucia, Qld 
4 September 2015

The ‘Roses in the Ocean’ Gala Evening, provides a remarkable opportunity to connect with friends, family and colleagues while supporting our work to save lives through changing the way suicide is understood, spoken about and ultimately prevented.

Amongst all the glamour and fun of this elegant black tie dinner event, guests will be entertained by the fabulous RedTie Band, and have the opportunity to make a difference through their support of auction items and raffles!

For more information
w rosesintheocean.com.au

World Suicide Prevention Day 2015  
Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, Qld 
10 September 2015

Join us in the Queen Street Mall for an interactive and informative event that sees a cross section of service providers in the suicide prevention, mental health and wellbeing sectors come together to provide practical information. 

Engage in a number of activities throughout the event, listen to some fantastic live music including X Factor finalists, James Johnston and Adil Memon; Australia's Got Talent Justin Geange and others!  Help us complete our incredible chalk art; make some aboriginal jewellery; visit the teams from Headspace and Open Minds for some fun activities.

For more information
w rosesintheocean.com.au

Mental Health Week 2015  
Nationwide 
4 - 11 October 2015

Mental Health Week is an annual national awareness event held every year to coincide with World Mental Health Day, which is held on 10 October each year.

Mental Health Week aims to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the wider community. 

Local and regional Mental Health Week events organised by local groups and communities contribute to reducing the stigma associated with mental illness and offer a platform to engage the community in dialogue regarding help-seeking behaviours and mental health promotion. 

For more information
w qldmentalhealthweek.org.au
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
Become a CAPS Member Today!

Do you want to keep up to date with CAPS activities and support our work in the community to reduce the risk of suicide?

The simplest way to show your support is by becoming a member of CAPS. Becoming a member will enable your involvement at our AGM plus you will receive our quarterly newsletter and invitations to events.

CAPS Inc is a registered, not for profit charity that needs the help of individuals and companies to undertake its charter of helping people at risk of suicide.

For more information on becoming a member visit www.caps.org.au or  Click here

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