World Suicide Prevention Week was a very busy time for the Centrecare One Life team. There were multiple events held during the week including forums, training sessions and a Conference.
To start the week off, 50 people attended free workshops conducted by Clive Elliott, Agency Coordinator for the One Life Team - offering suicide prevention advice and guidance to HR departments and Managers interested in implementing suicide prevention awareness programs in the workplace.
The main event of the week was the One Life Suicide Prevention Conference held on Wednesday 12th September 2012. With special guests: Dr Sally Spencer-Thomas, a highly regarded international specialist in Suicide Prevention in the workplace, an address from the Honorable Helen Morton, Minister for Mental Health, the Mental Health Commissioner Eddie Bartnik, Dr John Clarkson from the Neuro Diagnostic Centre and a presentation by Tamara Bezu representing the LGBTIQ community. This conference was facilitated by Reporter and Sports commentator Mr Glen Mitchell who is a One Life Ambassador. With over 160 people attending, including a mixture of company CEO’s, HR managers, Project Managers, One Life community coordinators and other staff members (personnel). It was a great turn out and the day was a fantastic success.
To finish off the week’s activities, renown speaker Dr Sally Spencer-Thomas trained the One Life Team, Centrecare staff and two One Life Community Coordinators to become trainers of her new program ‘Working Minds-Suicide prevention in the workplace’. After completing the training it was our turn to show our skills and conduct our own training session. (The Participants) took it in turns and presented to a group of 30 HR officers.
The week was very successful and we had a mixture of One Life Pledge Partners and non pledge partners. We are now flourishing in new pledges and are excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead. Thank you to all who supported the week, for your contribution and valued commitment to the One Life Suicide Prevention Strategy WA.