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.
LifeForce is an initiative from Wesley Mission, which is part of the Uniting Church of Australia.
Aims
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Educate communities by providing training in suicide prevention.
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Empower communities by d
eveloping network groups in local communities to reduce the stigma associated with suicide.
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Resource communities by su
pporting local communities and networks with ongoing education, promotion, relationship building and assisting in future local strategies.
Duration
LifeForce commenced in 1995 and was created by Reverend Bob Dunlop of Wesley Mission.
Location
LifeForce in based in Ashfield, NSW and reaches nationally across all Australian communities.
Model
LifeForce has created a community network model that incorporates:
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community capacity information;
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training;
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creating a formal association of the local suicide prevention network;
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identifying and addressing local issues through regular meetings; and
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working with local networks to best identify and support local community needs (these could be local memorial days or bereavement support groups).
Activities
LifeForce provides the following:
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training in suicide prevention;
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consulting, setting up and supporting local suicide prevention networks; and
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memorial services to support those who have been impacted by suicide to come together in the spirit of comfort and hope.
Lessons Learned
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Each community approach to suicide prevention will vary.
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Setting realistic objectives ( including time frames) is critical.
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I
ndividual and community capacity will differ.
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There is no single approach to suicide prevention and postvention.
Project partners
More information
For more information visit the LifeForce website or phone 02 8922 9095.