Over 150 people joined the thought-provoking conversation surrounding mental health and suicide, led by renowned speakers Keith V Garner AM, Wally Lewis AM, Christine Morgan, Graeme Cowan, and Dr Andrew Rochford as MC.
Wesley LifeForce, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Sydney, hosted Let’s Talk – Mental Health and Suicide, with guest speakers providing valuable insights and strategies in dealing with the current mental health scope in the community, drawing on personal anecdotes and professional experiences.
Audience members came from a variety of backgrounds, including students, LifeForce and Rotary Club network members, people bereaved by suicide, and others working within the mental health profession.
Participants contributed questions, ideas and thoughts about mental health and suicide through a series of interactive Q&A sessions, engaging with each other and the panel of guest speakers.
The convention offered an excellent day of networking and learning from different experiences at the Wesley Conference Centre, whilst also importantly providing a space for the much-needed conversation to take place, enabling foundations for further commitment and action.
With alarming statistics highlighting suicide as the leading cause of death in Australia in 2017 among people aged between 15-44 years (Source: ABS), Let’s Talk strived to equip all attendees to consider the topics discussed with new insight and understanding.
The convention was used to create awareness in community groups about the need to talk about suicide and mental health, in the hope that it will empower others to speak up about their personal mental health journey to break down barriers that prevent people seeking support.