Media

MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 8th September 2009

Suicide Prevention in the Hunter

In its unique position at the forefront of suicide prevention in our region, Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter has long suspected that the number of suicide deaths as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is considerably underestimated. According to the ABS, the number of deaths registered as ‘suicide’ in 2007 was 1,880. In March 2010, the ABS will revise the suicide figures which it believes are inaccurate as a result of different jurisdictional coronial systems and a range of other reasons.

“The ABS have themselves acknowledged that the suicide numbers are significantly under-reported” said Kate Munro, Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter CSPS Manager.
“Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter, like others working in suicide prevention eagerly await the revised figures.”

As part of World Suicide Prevention Day on the 10th of September, Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter has invited local health and support agency members to come along to Fort Scratchley Multi-purpose Centre to learn about what Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter’s Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Service (CSPS) offers and why it has been re-funded for another two years.

Originally launched in 2007, the CSPS has helped thousands of local people with its three pronged approach to suicide prevention—Prevention, Intervention and Postvention. Under the CSPS, Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter has conducted Community Training promoting awareness of those at risk of suicide, conducted one-on-one counselling for those at immediate risk of suicide and has supported the people in in our region who are bereaved by suicide.
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Article by Michella Wherrett
Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter Personal Counselling Manager
Date: 22nd September 2009

Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter - How Do You See Us In Your Community?
You’ve heard about us, haven’t you? Lifeline – the charity. You know - the people you can talk to when you are in a crisis - the 131114 Crisis Line. Let me tell you what else we do.
We have a team of counsellors who donate one day a week to Lifeline. Many of these professionals have their own counselling practice but choose to give this time to Lifeline as a service to their community. Our counsellors are required to have a university degree in counselling or psychology. Some have continued on with post graduate study.
In the past twelve months, this dedicated team has made themselves available for the 1,559 counselling appointments made through the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Upper Hunter areas. There are many people in our community who deal with issues such as:

• violence
  
• grief and loss
  
• substance abuse
  
• relationship problems
  
• suicide
  depression

Our experience has shown us that social isolation is a very real experience for many people. We are surrounded by high density living, yet somehow the connection between us all is not always there. Many in our community don’t even get to speak with another person, during their day.
Thirty five percent of issues bought into the counselling sessions are about ‘relationship problems’ followed by nineteen percent which deals with ‘grief and loss’. Fourteen percent of our counselling sessions deal with people who don’t want to live anymore.
It sounds very gloomy, doesn’t it? But wait – what if we weren’t here? Where would those 1,559 people who picked up the phone and dialed 4940 2000 to make a counselling appointment turn to?
I’m glad we don’t have to find the answer to that question, because we are here, and we plan to continue meeting this existing need. To meet demand, we have expanded our initial counselling service which operated out of Tighes Hill to include Cessnock, Toronto, Belmont, Maitland and Singleton.
As well as personal and couple counselling we run our Life Matters Program specifically designed for those who are at risk of suicide or self harm. This program consists of a minimum twelve weeks of weekly counselling as well as phone support during appointments. Clients are referred into this program from various agencies such as Mental Health, family members or self referred.
It is truly a privilege to work with a person who doesn’t see a reason for living, and watch as they get back in touch with the part of them that does want to live, despite whatever they are going through at the present time.
There’s more – we run a ‘Crisis Intervention Response Service’ in partnership with the New South Wales Police at specific Local Area Commands. This service enables the Police to refer those who are experiencing trauma to be contacted by our Crisis Service to assess their needs. We refer these people to appropriate resources – often it is enough that we ring them four or five times to talk about their needs. Others choose to have counselling with us. Part of the feedback we often hear, from clients who were referred to this service is
“It was so great to have someone ring back when they said they would”
“I was so relieved to hear that I wasn’t going crazy – you explained my responses to that traumatic event”
“I could talk about stuff with you that I couldn’t with friends/family”
When trauma responses are recognized and treated early, it prevents negative reactions which can occur later in that person’s life, such as:

• developing mental health issues
  
• affecting a person’s ability to work
  
• negatively affecting family relationships
  
• social exclusion

Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter also has a Financial Counselling Service which is offered at Tighes Hill, Morisset, Toronto, Belmont, Soldiers Point, Cessnock, Maitland and Singleton. This service has been well utilized over the last twelve months – reflective of the global financial situation.

We, at Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter aim to work in our communities to meet the needs which present. We were approached by the Biraban Community Centre to help with a need specific to that community. Happily we have been able fill this need successfully and hope to continue.

Like many non-government organizations we rely not only on the generosity of our volunteers but funding from government and corporate bodies. The spirit of Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter is optimistic and proactive. We believe in the power of a community working together to make our world a better place for everyone.

Next time you hear of Lifeline Newcastle & Hunter, or see our big blue ‘charity clothes bins’; I hope you will have gained more insight into what we are achieving in our collective community.

For anyone who wishes to use our Personal Counselling, Couples Counselling or Financial Counselling service, you can ring 49402000 to make an appointment in any of the above mentioned areas.