Suicide Prevention Australia, the peak body for suicide prevention, has announced the recipients of the 20th Annual National LiFE (Living is For Everyone) Awards which celebrate the commitment and determination of those working towards the reduction of suicide within our communities.
Last week, the National LiFE Awards were announced during the Gala Dinner at the National Suicide Prevention Conference in Canberra. StandBy Support After Suicide’s former General Manager Karen Phillips was awarded winner of the National Award for Impact alongside the Queensland winner for Outstanding Contribution.
Suicide Prevention Australia stated that the recipient for impact, ‘Karen Phillips has made an outstanding contribution to the growth and development of one of the most significant postvention services in Australia. StandBy’s services have grown and matured under Karen’s leadership over the past 10 years from a small pilot service on the Sunshine Coast to a national service across all states and territories.’
Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Nieves Murray said, “The LiFE Awards honour those who have shown leadership, compassion, and innovation in their efforts to prevent suicide and support to those who are struggling. Each year, we are even more blown away by the calibre of nominations.
“We will continue to work together to turn the trend towards zero and we celebrate the tireless efforts of those who have demonstrated excellence in suicide prevention.”
StandBy Support After Suicide Acting General Manager Amanda Glenwright said the acknowledgement was a wonderful recognition of the work of Karen Phillips over the last ten years and also to the StandBy program as a whole.
“This recognition is so well deserved to both Karen and the entire StandBy team, it is thanks to their work and dedication to supporting those bereaved and impacted by suicide across Australia,” Amanda said.
“We look forward to continuing on this work into the future buoyed by this wonderful recognition of achievement.”
Other winners on the evening were:
- Impact Category, Highly Commended: Lifeline Queensland (13YARN)
- Innovation Category, Winner: Vicki McKenna, Head of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Lived Experience Network, Black Dog Institute
For 20 years, StandBy has been driving policy change and improvements in the suicide prevention sector, placing those with lived experience of suicide bereavement central to everything they do. StandBy operates nationally by engaging with expertise within local communities to deliver the most effective and culturally suitable support for each individual circumstance.
Locally tailored community workshops and education programs are provided to increase awareness of suicide and suicide bereavement to help enable communities to support one another alongside the free 24/7 support line 1300 727 247.
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 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 QLife 1800 184 527 13YARN on 13 92 76
StandBy – an initiative funded by the Australian Government.
Media contact
Lou Gleeson
M: 0475 577 711