StandBy Support After Suicide is ensuring continuity of suicide postvention services to the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions (CQWBSC) with the announcement of their trusted, long-term partner UnitingCare Queensland, taking the reins in service provision from November 16, 2020.
StandBy general manager Karen Phillips says StandBy is well-known in the region and began as a Sunshine Coast organisation almost 20 years ago.
“StandBy has been proudly supporting families, loved ones, witnesses, first responders and communities impacted by suicide for almost two decades, together we partner with organisations, local communities and well respected service providers such as UnitingCare right across Australia,” Ms Phillips said.
“We understand that the grief that follows suicide is complex, and that from one suicide up to 135 people may be impacted.
“Those that are bereaved or impacted by suicide are at a greater risk of suicide themselves, and our focus is to provide a range of supports to anyone that may be impacted, including emotional and practical supports to young people, children, schools and workplaces.
“We’ve had a long-term relationship with UnitingCare Queensland since the StandBy Trial Replication Project in Brisbane in 2006 and in the North Queensland region since 2009.”
Sandra Moran lost her son to suicide in 2014, and says StandBy were there to support her in the days following her loss, since then she has gone on to support others bereaved and impacted by suicide as a StandBy lived experience representative.
“The Biloela police referred my family to the StandBy Support After Suicide service, this began a chain reaction of connections to local and relevant supports,” Ms Moran said.
“Suicide grief is such a traumatic grief, we the survivors need to know that everything we are feeling about our loss, are valid and totally normal, I consider it a privilege when a survivor of suicide shares their own experience with me.
“We, as survivors, need understanding in the aftermath of suicide loss. We simply need patience, kindness and zero judgement.
“In my role as a lived experience representative, I try to provide a voice for those who are not yet ready to speak, or who may never be able to speak up. I try to show survivors that there is still hope after complete devastation,” she said.
Funded by the Australian Government, StandBy say they are extremely grateful for the recent announcement that the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program will be extended until June 2022.
UnitingCare Queensland’s Family and Disability Services group executive, Mr Brent McCracken is proud to expand the partnership with StandBy to the Central Queensland, Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions.
“UnitingCare Queensland is passionate about providing support to vulnerable communities which already includes StandBy in Brisbane and North Queensland,” Mr McCracken said.
“Extending the partnership to include Central Queensland is a welcome addition given the extensive services UnitingCare Queensland provides in the region.
StandBy Coordinator in the CQWBSC region, Janet Adena, will continue in her role and ensure continuity of support for individual and community needs.
If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services:
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
StandBy – an initiative funded by the Australian Government.
