National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG) will shine candlelight on those loved and lost to suicide on World Suicide Prevention Day, during a free online event.
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NALAG CEO Trudy Hanson said the organisation's major Walk Towards Hope event, which is held in conjunction with the awareness day every year, has been cancelled due to COVID-19, but although they cannot walk towards hope, they can talk towards hope.
"Walk Towards Hope is our major annual event, where people in Dubbo congregate in a walk across the LH Ford bridge for World Suicide Prevention Day. This year however we can't walk, but we can talk," Ms Hanson said.
The event will feature guest speakers Camilla Herbig from RAMHP, Tradies In Sight founder Bruno Efoti and well-known Dubbo resident Joan Talbot.
Mrs Talbot lost her son to suicide 12-years ago and has participated in every Walk Towards Hope Event since its beginning.
We are asking for people to come and collect a free candle from us and light it up at 8.00 on Thursday night after the event
- Trudy Hanson
Her message is to encourage those grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide to 'not do it alone and seek professional help.'
Following the event, Ms Hanson is asking community members to join the organisation in lighting a candle in memory of those taken by suicide.
"We are asking for people to come and collect a free candle from us and light it up at 8.00 on Thursday night after the event," Ms Hanson said.
"We will be lighting up our window."
Mrs Hanson said NALAGS main message is that suicide is everyone's business.
"There are 3,000 Australian suicides a year, and 65,000 more attempted suicides, those figures are huge," Ms Hanson said.
"We've all got to be involved, in collaboration, to get the message out there. For every one suicide, another 10 or more people are grieving. It's a domino effect."
You can join the online event at the NALAG NSW Facebook page at 7.30pm on Thursday, September 10. Candles can be picked up from 7 Welchman Street Dubbo prior to the event. For more information visit www.nalag.org.au.
- If you are experiencing distress seek help by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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