Lifeline Reminds Aussies That Suicide Doesn’t Discriminate

Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day, Sunday, September 10, Lifeline has reminded Australians that suicide can affect everyone and encouraged anyone doing it tough to reach out for help through the organisation’s 24/7 phone and digital crisis support services.

Lifeline has launched the Suicide Doesn’t Discriminate campaign to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and shine a light on the experiences of those with a lived-and-living experience of suicide and suicidality.

The campaign brings together two pairs of individuals from different backgrounds to discuss shared and distinctive parts of their stories on camera.

Lifeline Australia CEO, Colin Seery said real people sharing wide-ranging experiences was an important way of illustrating that a typical look doesn’t exist in the context of suicide.

“It’s important to raise awareness around how suicide often doesn’t look how you’d think it would,” Mr Seery said.

“It is incredibly complex, evidenced by the fact that two people can have the exact same backgrounds, yet have different experiences, and vice versa.

“This campaign is all about amplifying the voices of those who have lived with or continue to live with suicidality and mental health issues.

“By doing this, we can help reduce the stigma and encourage anyone who needs it to reach out for support.

“It is crucial that no one feels they have to face their struggles alone.

“Please, if you feel you need support, reach out to someone you know or call Lifeline.

“Our Crisis Supporters continue to be available on our 13 11 14 phone service as well as our text and chat channels, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Each year, an estimated 703,000 people die by suicide worldwide. In 2021, there were 3,144 suicide deaths in Australia (ABS Causes of Death, 2022).

Former Aussie Rules footballer, star basketballer and Lifeline ambassador, Archie Smith has called on people across Australia to lace up their shoes and walk 9km on Sunday, September 10 for the nine Australians who lose their lives each day to suicide.

The annual Out of the Shadows Walk will take place across Australia on World Suicide Prevention Day to remember the lives lost to suicide, and to raise funds for Lifeline to continue to provide vital crisis support and make sure that nobody has to face their darkest moments alone.

Contact Lifeline:

Phone 13 11 14
Text 0477 131 114

Chat online or access the Support Toolkit to self-manage what you’re going through at www.lifeline.org.au

All services are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Lifeline expects to respond to over one million requests for support this year, creating an average of 120 safety plans to keep a person experiencing a suicidal ideation safe every day. To donate to Lifeline, click here: https://www.outoftheshadowswalk.org.au/event/out-of-the-shadows-2023/donate

• Topics:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing