The ongoing impacts of COVID19 have many of us feeling unsettled, uncertain and lonely, particularly those living with restrictions right now.
For some, those feelings may turn to thoughts of suicide.
Online community platform Kindly is working with leading suicide first aid organisation, LivingWorks, on a pilot project for Victorians to help each other stay safe.
Did you know that more than 200,000 people in Australia are trained in suicide first aid with 50,000 of these in Victoria?
This network of safety is all around us. We just can’t see it.
With your help we can make support visible and reach out to those in need.
Let us know if you have been trained in suicide first aid, or would like to be, and together we could save lives.
Our network of safety is growing
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About the partnership
We are calling on those trained by LivingWorks in suicide first aid to register with us and use their skills to support the local community. We are also encouraging those in the PHN areas new to suicide first aid, to sign up for free training. Together, we could save lives.
A special thank you to our Victorian co-design group, led by State Training Manager Renee Tsatsis, for their expertise in bringing this initiative together. Art direction by Mick Fennelly and original illustrations by Nadia Snopek.
Frequently asked questions
Suicide first aid training provides you with the skills and confidence to recognise when someone is having thoughts of suicide and respond by keeping them safe and connecting them to care.
Anyone can learn the skills to save a life. In fact the more people trained in our communities and workplaces, the better. COVID-19 has challenged us all, and it is likely that we know someone thinking about or affected by suicide.
Nearly 45% of people who die by suicide are not in contact with the health system. COVID-19 has challenged us all, and it is likely that someone we know may be thinking about or impacted by suicide. Conversations you have with people who are struggling with life’s stressors may not be about suicide, but what if it is? With the right skills, you could save a life.
Kindly is a free online community platform where you can offer or seek help. Built in response to COVID-19 restrictions, the platform connects those that need help with a volunteer; whether you need help with shopping, supplies, food, mail or emotional support.
Once you register you can start reaching out to people right away on Kindly. In the meantime, the LivingWorks crew will verify your training information behind the scenes so you can join the LivingWorks member group as soon as possible, display your trust badge and access resources to support you when helping others. You will be notified when you have access to the group.
LivingWorks is the world leader in evidence based suicide intervention training. We work with individuals, organisations and companies across the world to train people from all walks of life to recognise the signs someone may be thinking of suicide and help to keep them safe through interventions and connecting them to care. We believe that if everyone is trained in the skills we could create a world safe from suicide.
LivingWorks provides several suicide first aid training programs. We have listed these below, as you may be more familiar with your type of training.
- LivingWorks Start (90 minute online)
- safeTALK (1/2 day F2F workshop)
- ASIST (2 day F2F workshop)
- suicide to Hope (1 day F2F workshop)
Following completion of LivingWorks Start, ASIST, safeTALK or suicide 2 hope, you will have received a certificate of completion. If you’re unsure of which training course you attended, get in touch with the LivingWorks team at info@livingworks.com.au.
This is a pilot project to support Melbournians and Victoria. However, we know people across Australia are trained by LivingWorks in suicide first aid and in a position to offer support, so anyone in the country is encouraged to register. You will still be able to join the LivingWorks group and receive a trust badge. If you live outside Australia and have been trained by LivingWorks, you can still sign up to Kindly and offer support or seek help via their website: https://www.kindlyapp.com.au/
For this pilot, thanks to the support of three Victorian Primary Health Networks, we are offering FREE LivingWorks Start training in the areas of Moorabool, Melton, Brimbank, Wyndham, Hume, Macedon Ranges, Moreland, Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay, Melbourne, Yarra, Darebin, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Kingston, Glen Eira, Frankston, Stonnington, Port Phillip, Bayside, Cardinia, City of Warrnambool, Glenelg, Southern Grampians, Corangamite and Moyne. Click here to get started.
If you live outside these areas, LivingWorks are currently offering discounted online training. More information is provided on their website.
Kindly is a volunteer community driven platform, which means someone may not respond right away. If life is in danger, or you need urgent support, please call one of the following:
- Police & Ambulance: 000
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
- Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
Kindly is a free kindness marketplace with more than 20,000 volunteers across Australia. From a friendly online chat to requesting or offering goods, it starts with Kindly.
