10th Tasmanian LIFE Awards showcase rural commitment to suicide prevention

The winners of the Tasmanian LIFE Awards for Suicide Prevention announced today demonstrate rural and regional communities’ deep passion and commitment to saving lives.

The Awards Ceremony will take place from 5.30pm to 7pm tonight at Government House.

“Suicide is the leading cause of death for Tasmanians aged 15 to 45, and yet it is preventable in many cases”, said Jules Carroll, Deputy Chair of the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network.

“The LIFE Awards seek to recognise and celebrate those outstanding individuals who are reducing the rate and impact of suicide in the state. These people are literally saving lives.

The joint winners of the Tasplan Outstanding Contribution LIFE Award are Christine Haigh of Orford and Louise Leslie of Devonport.

The winner of the Red Herring Surf Communities in Action LIFE Award is the ‘Lift the Lid’ event in Bothwell.

The winner of the Lifeline Tasmania Best Practice – Business and Enterprise LIFE Award is Browns Store in Longford.

2015 marks the 10th LIFE Awards for Suicide Prevention in Tasmania. We are the only state to run our own Life Awards.

The LIFE Awards are followed by a one-day Forum on suicide prevention on 12 May 2015 at Grand Chancellor Hobart, providing an opportunity for members of the community to learn from leading speakers on suicide prevention and to participate in the workshops. Around 100 attendees are expected.

Relationships Australia Tasmania receives funding from the Crown, through the Department of Health and Human Services to provide Suicide Prevention.

Winners of the Tasmanian LIFE Awards 2015

Tasplan Outstanding Contribution LIFE Award

o Christine Haigh of Orford

Christine is a foundation member of the Spring Bay Suicide Prevention Network, operating since 2010. Christine has been central to the growth of the Network, filling the arduous role as the Network’s Secretary. Christine has organised many annual events for the local community, including suicide prevention and mental health awareness training evenings, and the Networks’ Blue Ribbon event being an annual Memorial Day held at Spring Beach Orford each November and attended by approximately 80 to 100 people.

o Louise Leslie of Devonport

Louise has volunteered and worked in areas of suicide awareness, prevention and intervention for the past 15 years, and has been the CEO of Choose Life Services for the past nine. Louise has assisted a number of clients through her exceptional delivery of counselling services, and taught many individuals how to perform suicide interventions through the ASIST training. Louise provides ‘common sense, a wonderful heart and guidance’ to her community.

Red Herring Surf Communities in Action LIFE Award

o ‘Lift the Lid’ in Bothwell

Following the loss of three well known community members with mental illness to suicide within six months, the community of Bothwell came together and decided to run an event to ‘Lift the Lid’ on stigma about mental health. The result was a community event where 300 out of 350 people in Bothwell came together to listen, understand and work together to ensure no further lives are lost to suicide.
Lifeline Tasmania Best Practice – Business and Enterprise LIFE Award

o Browns Store in Longford

Browns Store is a large supermarket in Longford with around 80 staff. It has worked hard to break down stigma about mental illness. Browns store has developed a workplace culture where staff with a mental illness are understood and supported, and have gone on to become some of the most loyal, dedicated, trusted and productive employees. A number of staff have been strongly assisted to access professional health services when required, and provided with flexible and supportive working arrangements.
Jules Carroll Deputy Chair of the Tasmanian Suicide Prevention Community Network