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Workshops aim to provide suicide support in Karratha

Alicia PereraPilbara News
Pilbara District Police Superintendent Paul Coombes, pictured in Hedland.
Camera IconPilbara District Police Superintendent Paul Coombes, pictured in Hedland. Credit: The West Australian, Simon Santi

A series of public workshops to help support people affected by a loved one’s suicide will be held in Karratha next week.

A critical incident group formed after a recent spate of suicides in the area will co-ordinate several free community information sessions for people directly affected by a suicide as well as the broader community.

Mission Australia Pilbara area manager Maggie Jenkins said suicide could have a profound effect on tight-knit communities such as Karratha, where many people knew or knew of the victims, and agencies were taking action to address the issue.

“The workshops are aimed at increasing the understanding of the experience of bereavement following a suicide and how best to support that person as they are going through that,” she said.

“This involves investigating what makes a death from suicide different from other sudden deaths and the different responses that those impacted might be likely to experience.”

Pilbara District Police Superintendent Paul Coombes said the main aim of the workshops was to ensure people affected by suicide were connected with specialised support services in the region and felt safe and supported.

Workshops on what to say or do after a suicide will be held on March 26 from 9am-noon and from 7pm-9pm on March 28 at the Karratha Leisureplex function room.

A separate community session, for people to come together and share their experiences of suicide or meet local support services will be held at the Leisureplex at 7pm on March 27.

The sessions will be coordinated by Mission Australia and facilitated by specialist organisations StandBy — Support After Suicide and MATES In Construction.

For more information, contact Mission Australia Pilbara suicide prevention co-ordinator Charlene Senior at seniorc@missionaustralia.com.au or phone 0490 075 700.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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