Table of Contents
From the Board of Postvention Australia
Four Candles – A Poem of Remembrance
2019 Highlights from Postvention Australia
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
Join Postvention Australia – New Membership Levels
QPR Online Training Programs
Crisis and counselling lines
From the Board of Postvention Australia
Postvention Australia would like to thank you for your support in 2019. We would like to wish you a peaceful festive period and safe start to 2020.
On 7th December, the Board held its last meeting for 2019, with four new appointed board members in attendance. The new members include Lidia Di Lembo (SabrinasReach4Life), Dr Louise Flynn (Support After Suicide), Darrin Larney (SOSBSA) and Dr Caroline Atkinson (We-Al-li).
The PVA Annual General Meeting will be held in the new year and we will be calling for nominations to join a reinvigorated Board.
We would also like to take this opportunity to recognise that the festive season is often a busy and challenging time, with many events and social gatherings being held. Some may not feel up to socialising, as many continue to feel the loss of their loved ones, and are at different stages of their grief journey This is understandable and if you are struggling, (or you know of someone who might be), please reach out and talk to family, friends or your neighbour.
If you need help, please seek immediate assistance by calling Lifeline on 131114 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. Other helplines are listed at the bottom of the Newsletter.
We wish you a peaceful holiday season.
The Board of Postvention Australia
Four Candles – A Poem of Remembrance
The pain of losing you is intense.
It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.
To confront our sorrow,
To comfort each other,
To change our lives.This third candle we light in your memory.
For the times we laughed,
The times we cried,
The times we were angry with each other,
The silly things you did,
The caring and joy you gave us.The fourth candle we light for our love.
We light this candle that your light will always shine.
As we enter this holiday season and share this night
of remembrance with our family and friends.
We cherish the special place in our hearts
that we will always be reserved for you.
We thank you for the gift
your living brought to each of us.
We love you.
We remember you.
2019 Highlights from Postvention Australia
2019 was an eventful year for Postvention Australia, with the 6th Australian Postvention Conference being held in June, the National Reference Group being formed, as well as increased engagement with federal and state government and other stakeholders.
The 6th Australian Postvention Conference Resolutions
The Governor-General and PVA Delegation
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
On Saturday 23rd of November 2019, people across the globe lived in remembrance of their loved ones who have departed this world through suicide. This day was a designated day where friends and family of those bereaved by suicide, unite for healing and support. To commemorate this important day, there have been public events and ceremonies in which survivors can come together to find connection, understanding and hope through their shared experience.The International Survivors of Suicide Loss day was initially known as ‘Survivor Day’, created in 1999 by Senator Harry Reid in the United States. He created this day after the tragic loss of his father to suicide and introduced a resolution which led to the creation of this marked day. It was determined that Survivor Day would always fall on the Saturday before American Thanksgiving, as the holidays are often a difficult time of suicide loss survivors.
As the holidays commence, we offer our warmest condolences to your and your family for the loss of your loved one. If you would like to participate in a public event next year to honor your loved one or support a close friend or family who has been bereaved by suicide, mark next year’s date onto your calendar – Saturday 21st November 2020.
Join Postvention Australia – New Membership Levels
We are very excited to announce our invigorated membership classes, created for the bereaved by suicide, individuals and organisations to become involved.If you have been bereaved by suicide, or looking to support those affected by this tragedy, becoming a member with Postvention Australia is a great way to assist and receive additional access content (to be coming in the new year!).
Become an advocate for postvention in your community.
For more information, please click here.
QPR Online Training Programs
QPR stands for Question, Persuade and Refer – these 3 simple steps educate anyone to learn the indicators that can help save a life from suicide. Just as people are trained in CPR that help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognise the warning signs of a suicide crisis and understand how to question, persuade and refer someone to help.
The QPR Institute Australia provides Australians in a range of professions with a wide variety of training courses developed by clinical psychologist, Dr Paul Quinnett and his team of experts. Courses available by QPR Institute Australia include:
- The QPR Gatekeeping Training for Suicide Prevention course, which is designed to inform and upskill the general public in being able to intervene appropriately to assist people who are at risk of suicide
- The Suicide Triage Training course, which is designed to suit youth workers, school and career guidance counsellors, pastoral care workers, mental health case managers and other welfare professionals
- Customised professional courses, which are designed to meet the practice needs of specific health and welfare professionals including nurses, GPs, veterans, pharmacists, correction officers, law enforcement officers, emergency medical services, sports coaches, clergy, and other allied health professionals.
For further information:
QPR Institute Australia website: www.qprinstituteaustralia.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1300 02 4357
Helplines
If in crisis or in need of counselling, please contact the following telephone lines:
- Lifeline 13 11 14 (24 hour phone counselling)
- Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800 (24 hour phone counselling)
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 (Professional call back service referral line operates seven days a week)
- Mensline Australia 1300 789 978 (24 hour phone counselling and referral)
- Veterans Line 1800 011 046 (after hours professional telephone crisis counselling for veterans and their families)
For and on behalf of:
The Board of the Postvention Australia
www.postventionaustralia.org
[email protected]
www.facebook.com/postventionaustralia
Office: 1300 02 4357
Author: postvention-admin
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