Residents of the Keilira region, Kangaroo Island, the Adelaide Hills and the Yorke Peninsula can now access an online program run by suicide intervention training provider LivingWorks, thanks to funding from Country SA PHN.
The LivingWorks Start program prepares people with the skills to recognise when someone is having thoughts of suicide and, importantly, how to respond to keep them safe. “Recovery efforts in our bushfire affected communities are still very much underway following the devastating December bushfires,” Country SA PHN CEO Kim Hosking said.
“Those efforts are being made even more challenging by COVID-19 and we want to make sure there is as much support as possible for these communities."
“The LivingWorks Start program adds another important layer of support because it gives community members the skills they need to look out for colleagues, friends and loved ones – even from a distance.”
LivingWorks Start is a 60-minute program that trains participants to recognise the signs when a person might be having thoughts of suicide and then take potentially life-saving action by connecting them to help and support. Kingston District Council Chief Executive Officer Nat Traeger welcomed the initiative.
“Like many others, our community has faced enormous trauma in a short space of time,” she said. “I would absolutely recommend as many people as possible undertake this training – knowledge is power but in this case it’s also cohesion and strength and that is something we all need right now.
“Embracing this training will be another step towards making sure our loved ones and fellow community members know that help and support is always available.” Mr Hosking said the free training offer comes at a good time, with many people enhancing their life and work skills while they are in isolation or working from home.
“The more community members we can have upskilled with vital suicide prevention knowledge and confidence, the better,” Mr Hosking said.
Residents from the Keilira region can do the LivingWorks Start training for free here.
Country SA PHN is responsible for commissioning Commonwealth directed funding for primary health services throughout regional South Australia. It is the health network set up to service the country regions of South Australia, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery while improving the coordination of patient care.
Established by the Australian Government, we exist to bridge the gap of health inequity and access in rural South Australia by building a collaborative and responsive health care system. Country SA PHN covers 99.8% of the state geographically, incorporating approximately 30% of South Australia’s total population.
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