Connecting the community: Standby program manager Samantha McIntosh (back) with Thirrili acting chief executive Annette Vickery and Thirrili advocate Steve Smith
A safe space for people struggling with grief has opened in Shepparton after a spate of suicides left parts of the community reeling.
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Wellways’ community connections space opened on Thursday at St Augustine’s Church in Orr St, Shepparton, and is designed to be a place for people to walk in and seek help or speak about how to help themselves or their loved ones cope with grief.
The space has been put together in a partnership between Wellways, Standby, Goulburn Valley Health and headspace in conjuction with Rumbalara and Thirrili.
Standby program manager Samantha McIntosh said the month-long pop-up was a rapid response to the high number of suicides in Shepparton in the past few months.
“I guess there was a need for a space where people could just walk in and seek help, whether it's just information on how to support someone that's bereaved, whether it's for themselves, whether they need to be connected to some sort of therapeutic service, or even if it's just a basic practical support,” she said.
The space is off to the side of the hall at St Augustine’s, with couches, tables and chairs in a relaxed, informal environment, which Ms McIntosh said was the intent.
“It's not a formal thing. You can walk in and it means some people who like to, you know, draw on things while they're talking (can do that),” she said.
“Some people might want to sit and not be, you know, stared into the eyes of waiting to say something.
Welcoming: (From back left) City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Kim O’Keeffe, Standby program manager Samantha McIntosh; (front) Thirrili acting chief executive Annette Vickery and Wellways Indigenous elder Bobby Nicholls.
“Asking for help isn’t a weakness, it's empowering to educate yourself on how to support people, people that are bereaved by suicide.
“Statistics say that there's a high risk of suicide themselves. So we want to support those people to grieve well.”
Thirrili acting chief executive Annette Vickery said many of the deaths had impacted people in Shepparton’s First Nations communities, and the new space would go a long way to helping the community through a challenging time.
“If we could do this in every major population I think we'd come a long way towards communities feeling more confident to talk about these issues and know that they're in a non-judgmental safe place to do that,” she said.
Thirrili advocate Steve Smith, who works with people needing help, said the facility was “really important”.
“Once our community feels comfortable coming here and know it's a safe space, know that services in the background are willing to help but also they know that we're there,” he said.
“We provide that culturally sensitive approach. We know a lot of our families don’t like to talk and mingle, especially in a clinical setting.
“We’re here to help where we can and do the best we can, but also to have that chat, but also their knowledge, different services, and we always want to refer back into local services.”
He encouraged people to swing by for a chat or to call 0422 079 393.
• If you’re struggling, call after-hours bereavement support on 1300 727 247, Lifeline on 131 114, BeyondBlue on 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800. Head to www.wellways.org/our-services/standby-support-after-suicide for more information.
