As a former Committee Member of Lincoln Alive Suicide Prevention group, Country SA PHN's Practice Support Officer Jane Cooper recently attended the launch of the Suicide Prevention Reflection Bench in Port Lincoln.
Funded by Country SA PHN, Lincoln Alive engaged the Port Lincoln City Council, artist Karen Carr and Squashed Cocky to provide a space of reflection for the community to remember family and friends affected by suicide.
The day was attended by Port Lincoln Mayor Brad Flaherty, Lincoln Alive Committee Members, Lain Montgomerie from Mentally Fit EP and the local community. Shania Richards provided the Welcome to Country.
Five years in the planning with delays due to COVID-19, local schools and community members were invited to attend workshops to create mosaics which depicts the ripple effect of suicide on a community for the space.
The Port Lincoln Council upgraded and concreted the area and supplied timber from the local jetty for the benches.
The reflection space is located on the Parnkalla walking trail on the foreshore giving access to a space where people can go to remember loved ones, but also bring awareness to suicide while creating conversations within the community.
