Locals join together to prevent suicide

The Bega and Eurobodalla communities are working to reinforce community connections and compassionate support, and address social issues to reduce suicide on the South Coast. 

The newly formed Bega Valley Eurobodalla Suicide Prevention Collaborative (the Collaborative) consists of more than 25 individuals, including representatives from 18 local organisations and entities including government, non-government, health, education, social services and community bodies. 

In May 2023, local people came together to launch the Collaborative, a culmination of work sharing ideas, approaches and hopes for the future of suicide prevention in the region. 

We are very much a grass roots group wanting to involve and empower our community. By drawing on local experience, giving people with lived experience a voice and creating better connections we aim to improve services for the communities where we live and work.

Helen Best

Lived experience advocate and Chair of the Bega Valley Suicide Prevention Action Network

The Collaborative aims to reduce the impact of suicide through easier access to information and support, growing and supporting the lived experience and suicide prevention workforce, and providing a coordinated response when there is a loss in the community.  

If you are interested in joining the Collaborative, please email bvecollaborative@coordinare.org.au 

If you are feeling distressed and in need of immediate assistance, please contact: 

  • Lifeline (24/7, phone 13 11 14)
  • 13YARN (24/7, phone 13 92 76) 

 Support for those impacted by suicide loss is available from: 

  • StandBy Support After Suicide (24/7, phone 1300 727 247) and
  • Thirrili Indigenous Postvention Support (24/7, phone 1800 805 801). 

  • Bega SPAN 
  • Bega Valley Shire Council 
  • Directions Health 
  • Eurobodalla Shire Council 
  • Grand Pacific Health 
  • headspace Batemans Bay and Bega 
  • Katungul 
  • Lions Club Pambula/Merimbula  
  • Men’s Table 
  • Mental Health Coordinating Council 
  • NSW Department of Education 
  • NSW Office of Regional Youth 
  • Sapphire Health & Wellbeing Service 
  • StandBy Support After Suicide 
  • Southern NSW LHD 
  • The Disability Trust 
  • Thirrili National Indigenous Postvention Service 
  • Wellways 

Interested in finding out more?

   

Learn more about the Suicide Prevention Collaboratives below:

Illawarra Shoalhaven

Bega Valley Eurobodalla