LifeForce

LifeForce runs suicide prevention workshops and seminars

Our workshops allow participants to gain insight into suicidal ideation, learn skills to identify warning signals and assess the risk of a person who is experiencing thoughts of suicide.

Seminars

Our seminars include a combination of the issues related to suicide, dispelling myths about suicide, exploring the 'road' to suicide, defining crisis situations, exploring suicidal ideation, explaining the signals of suicide and identifying community resources. Seminars are generally 2 hours in duration and  can be adapted specifically to meet the needs of your organisation.

Seminar Outline

• Introduction
• Presentation: Suicide in Australia
• Discussion: What is driving Australia's high suicide rates?
• Discussion: Myths & facts
• Discussion: Attitudes to suicide
• Presentation: Steps to suicide
• Video: 'Just Be There'/ 'Cameron's Story'
• Presentation: S.A.L.T. Strategy:
  - Spot the warning signs
  - Ask about suicidal intent
  - Listen to the person with thoughts of suicide
  - Tell/Take the person with thoughts of suicide to appropriate help
• Close of Seminar

Costing

For further information, please contact the LifeForce office for an information pack.

Workshops

Workshops generally run for one day. They are a valuable opportunity for participants to gain knowledge, skills, confidence and resources and be able to practise those skills within the group. The workshops allow participants to gain insight into suicidal ideation, learn skills to identify warning signals and assess the risk of a person who is experiencing thoughts of suicide. They will also learn how to engage the person, have an understanding of their role as a caregiver, know whom to refer the person to for appropriate qualified help and be committed to suicide prevention in their community

Workshop Outline

• 9.00am: Introduction
• Presentation: Suicide in Australia
• Discussion: What is Driving Australia's High Suicide Rates?
• Discussion: Myths & Facts
• 10.30am: Morning Tea
• Discussion: Attitudes To Suicide
• Presentation: Steps to Suicide
• Presentation: H.E.A.D.S Strategy
• Video: 'Just be there'/ 'Cameron's Story'
• 12.30pm: Lunch (Not provided)
• Presentation: S.A.L.T Strategy:
  - Spot the warning signs  
  - Ask about suicidal intent
  - Listen to the person with thoughts of suicide
  - Tell/Take the person with thoughts of suicide to appropriate help
• 3.00pm: Role Play
• 4.00pm: Close of Workshop

Costing

For further information, please contact the LifeForce office for an information pack.

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for all community members to help them support their colleagues, families and friends. This program not only provides education on what to do in the crisis of suicide but also how to intervene on a daily basis.

Some of the people that have attended LifeForce seminars and workshops include: Teachers, ministers, youth workers, social workers, counsellors, psychologists, doctors,parents, sports coaches, police, emergency workers, concerned friends, bar tenders,corporate managers, financial counsellors and many other strategic community members.

Please note: LifeForce is not a crisis or counselling service and that seminars and workshops may not be suitable for those recently bereaved by suicide.

Suicide Prevention Networks

LifeForce is working within communities to develop Suicide Prevention Networks. These networks are designed to provide a framework for the development of localised suicide prevention. 

These networks identify and bring together community participants with an interest in/or service provision in suicide and mental health issues.
They do this by:

• facilitating the exchange of information
  
• co-ordinating suicide awareness and prevention activities
  
• minimising silo service delivery and duplication of services,
  
• encouraging skill sharing and learning and
  
• advocating to raise the community’s awareness of the risk of suicide and the contributing factors in that community.

The Suicide Prevetion Network’s focus is on supporting improved suicide prevention activities through a collaborative and strategic community approach.

To develop a Suicide Prevention Network in your area, or for further information, please contact the LifeForce office.

Community Information Cards

LifeForce has found that people in crisis may not be aware of who to contact for support and help. LifeForce has initiated the production of a 'Community Information Card'.

The card includes 24-hour crisis numbers, local support services and community support numbers. For each community LifeForce visits to facilitate a workshop, a card is produced and distributed to attendees.

Evaluation Forms

Evaluation forms are given out at the workshops and seminars to gauge measuring changes in confidence, knowledge and attitudes. They also play a vital role in assisting Lifeforce to further develop our programs, maintain the quality of the service and to ensure that the program remains within National Good Practice Guidelines.