Fridge magnets are being distributed to first responders including emergency services and funeral homes to hand to those bereaved by suicide and provide a point of contact for families and friends. 

The free and confidential service connects anyone bereaved by suicide with practical, financial and other support services. It’s the culmination of three years of work by Fight For Your Life core working group which aims to halve suicide in the region by 2023. Lifeline is the lead agency for Fight For Your Life.

The team includes service co-ordinator Bess Slater, service facilitator Linda Holland and team members Carly Dennis and Samantha McMahon who have consulted with service providers, community members and people affected by suicide. 

It is estimated that for every suicide between 10 and 100 people are directly affected. Ms Dennis said people could contact the service in the weeks and months afterwards when the “real effect starts to hit”.

“It might be a year down the track when they need support. If they know about our service they can contact us,” Ms Holland said. 

“It’s with consent from the family but it may be that they don’t know what they need. We can broker services in a way for them and guide them through the welfare system.” 

“Sometimes people don’t know where to go or who to call if they need more than what they’re getting from their family and friends and think ‘who do I contact?’ Ms Dennis said.

Ms Slater said community and financial support from Sinclair Wilson, the A. L Lane, Thomas O’Toole, Uebergang and the Gwen and Edna Jones foundations were instrumental.

For information about the program or to be included on the list of services contact Linda on 5559 0555.