LifeForce suicide prevention program

LifeForce is a national suicide prevention program that aims to educate, empower and resource Australian communities. LifeForce’s goal is to promote individual and community wellbeing with a specific focus on identifying and dealing with issues relating to potential and actual suicide.

Program duration

LifeForce commenced in 1995 and was created by Reverend Bob Dunlop of Wesley Mission.

Location and People

LifeForce in based in Ashfield, NSW and reaches nationally across all Australian communities.

Aims

• Educate communities by providing training in suicide prevention.
• Empower communities by d eveloping network groups in local communities to reduce the stigma associated with suicide.
• Resource communities by su pporting local communities and networks with ongoing education, promotion, relationship building and assisting in future local strategies.

Activities

LifeForce provides the following:

• training in suicide prevention; 
• consulting, setting up and supporting local suicide prevention networks; and 
• memorial services to support those who have been impacted by suicide to come together in the spirit of comfort and hope. 

Model

LifeForce has created a community network model that incorporates:

• community capacity information; 
• training; 
• creating a formal association of the local suicide prevention network; 
• identifying and addressing local issues through regular meetings; and  
• working with local networks to best identify and support local community needs (these could be local memorial days or bereavement support groups).

Lessons Learnt

• Each community approach to suicide prevention will vary.
• Setting realistic objectives ( including time frames) is critical.
• I ndividual and community capacity will differ.
• There is no single approach to suicide prevention and postvention.

Umbrella organisation

LifeForce is an initiative from Wesley Mission, which is part of the Uniting Church of Australia. 

Project partners

• beyondblue .
• Greater Building Society.
• Black Dog Institute .
• Nexia Court & Co

Contact

For more information visit the LifeForce website or phone 02 8922 9095.