Local sporting clubs have been invited to host free suicide prevention workshops to help players and supporters step up as teammates.
Local suicide prevention committee Save Our Kids From Suicide, or SOKS, received $130,000 in funding from the NSW Government to support local sporting clubs to run free workshops ranging from 90 minutes to two days.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the workshops would help create a safe space in the community.
“We want people to have the tough conversations in a setting that they are comfortable in, and these workshops will ensure our teammates, coaches and supporters have the tools they need to support someone who is struggling,” Crouch said.
“Sport plays an important role in our community, and I encourage our local sporting groups to put their hands up for these free workshops.”
The suicide prevention workshops cover issues related to depression, anxiety, self-harming behaviours, and provide advice on how to help a person with suicidal thoughts.
SOKS Chairman Lester Pearson said he hoped more local clubs would put up their hand for the free training.
“Many of our community know the devastating and profound loss of losing a loved one to suicide,” Pearson said.
“Our hope is that frequent, safer, empowering conversations on the Central Coast will mean less people considering suicide as a viable option to leave behind the despair, hopelessness or mental pain they are experiencing.”
To register your club’s interest in a free suicide prevention workshop, contact Katie Allen at Lifeline Central Coast katie.allen@lifeline.org.au
Gosford North Rotary Club established the SOKS program in 2012 to address the issue of youth suicide on the Central Coast.
Source:
Media release, Feb 22
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch