City of Rockingham recognised at Suicide Prevention Australia’s Annual LiFE Awards

The City of Rockingham has received national recognition for its work in suicide prevention and mental health initiatives.

Suicide Prevention Australia’s Annual LiFE Awards recognises excellence in suicide prevention. The city received the Communities in Action Award for WA.

The Communities in Action Award is for community campaigns, events or community training initiatives that have helped address suicidal behaviours in the community.

The City was nominated for the 2021 award by leading suicide intervention training organisation LivingWorks Australia.

Due to COVID-19 issues, the City has only recently been presented with the award.

The City delivers several prevention programs, including Mental Health First Aid, Suicide to Hope, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training and the safeTALK suicide awareness program.

Mayor Deb Hamblin said the award “highlights the efforts of these community networks”.

“These programs have been delivered consistently for the past six years to enhance the skills of community members, with a focus on volunteers in the not-for-profit sector so they can identify and support people appropriately,” Ms Hamblin said.

She said the City also contributed to the development of community programs and events that aimed to improve mental health by building community connections and increasing community participation.

“These programs have been coupled with extensive advocacy to the State and Federal governments for enhanced mental health services in Rockingham to address the community’s growing needs,” she said.

Ms Hamblin thanked the City’s partners, including the Suicide Postvention Community Response Initiative and the Peel, Rockingham and Kwinana Mental Health Sub-Network.

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