Postvention Australia was founded by Alan Staines OAM and officially launched in June 2013.
For over 30 years Alan played a pivotal role in the recognition and development of postvention services in Australia, working with the Salvation Army and implementing their suicide bereavement services.
In recognition of Alan’s perseverance and tireless efforts in suicide prevention, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2003 for services to young people through Suicide Prevention Australia and the Salvation Army. Alan was later awarded with Life Membership of Suicide Prevention Australia and received the Order of the Founder (OF) which is the highest Salvation Army honour for distinguished service.
Evidence accumulated that people bereaved by suicide was a neglected area of suicide prevention, with the bereaved being six times more likely to take their life than the general population. Postvention Australia was founded from this evidence to provide resources and pathways for the bereaved to cope with the emotional struggle of dealing with a suicide death.
The organisation’s national office is currently based in Sydney, with many of its Board Members and supporters coming from across Australia.