New Lifeline Australia campaign – called Our Toughest Challenge Yet – focuses on national suicide emergency

The Lifeline Australia campaign – called Our Toughest Challenge Yet – focuses on a national suicide emergency and its impact on Australian men and their families.

With numbers of men taking their own lives at a record 10 year high, Lifeline chief executive Pete Shmigel and headspace Horsham centre manager Jason Pelcher said there was no harm in talking.

“With six Australian men taking their own lives every day, the campaign showcases the strength of people who have come through the other side of immense personal challenges,” Mr Shmigel said.

“We know from our more than 850,000 interactions across our 24/7 crisis support services each year that reaching out when you’re struggling can be one of the toughest actions someone can take – it shows real courage.

“And while we have a wonderful culture of mateship in Australia, outdated ideas about stoicism and masculinity mean we often don’t reach out to our friends and loved ones during tough times.”

Mr Pelcher urged people who were concerned about themselves, a family member, or a friend to get in touch.

He said headspace Horsham had been in its newly refurbished building in Hamilton Street, Horsham, for the past two weeks and would be fully staffed as of today (Friday) with all vacancies filled.

“We are in the old Dick Smith building and we are open 9am to 5pm,” Mr Pelcher said.

“People can ring us, or they can just walk in – they don’t need a referral from a doctor – and they will be seen immediately.”

He said staff could cover off on four key areas: mental health and counselling, health and sexual health, alcohol and drug use, along with work, training, study and apprenticeships.

“We find a lot of people have concerns and they don’t have anyone to talk to,” Mr Pelcher said.

“But young people should not sit at home and worry, we offer a free and confidential service for young people, their carers and support people.”

headspace Horsham also has a new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and/or Intersex (LGBTI) worker, along with a new youth worker, among its seven staff, which also includes counsellors, social workers and psychologists.

“We were lucky to receive applications from people locally, we haven’t had applications from Canberra or anywhere like that,” Mr Pelcher said.

While headspace Horsham is only open during business hours, Mr Pelcher said e-headspace was available 24/7 if young men or women wanted to chat without having to speak to someone face-to-face.

“We are a friendly bunch of people and more than happy to talk and listen to concerns,” he said.

If you, or someone you know is struggling, call Lifeline’s 24-hour telephone crisis line on 13 11 14, visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp, or pop into headspace Horsham at 71-77 Hamilton Street, Horsham.