Call Out For Aldinga Community Whisperers Event

It was a clothes peg coupled with a message of hope that began the journey into discussions around suicide prevention and promoting life in our region, last night.

For many of the crowd it may have seemed like an odd mix – a clothes peg and a positive message.

But the intent was simple – let’s help get our mates over the line.

Sometimes it’s that odd mix, that can put a smile on someone’s face.

Like a friendly, caring human who walks into the pub while a stern and shrewd publican ensures his staff aren’t slacking off on the job, whilst still providing a great mix of fun and banter.

These odd couple types can be found in cafes, bars, clubs, pubs, wineries and breweries – anywhere drinks are sold – and they can save lives.

The event was the launch of The Whisperer Team’s Search for The Community Whisperers in the seaside suburb of Aldinga, South Australia. Community Whisperers are people in the community who can assist those doing it tough and are in need of a conversation and potentially a suicide intervention, in order to get them feeling safe again.

Attendees were invited to purchase a peg to represent someone lost to suicide or of someone who needed some love and support, particularly with their mental health.

The single pegs were then hung up on a line, between two trees, with an image of the Pub Whisperer’s silhouette above it.

Around 25 people sat in the Aldinga Hotel’s beer garden, to hear me, Jono, the original Pub Whisperer (and creator and community connector of The Whisperer Team) and Michelle Kemmler creator of I Care Consulting and the City of Onkaparinga’s yearly Suicide Prevention Walk (and a community connector of The Whisperer Team), discuss the startling stats of suicide, the journey of The Whisperer Team – from it’s beginnings as The Pub Whisperer from the Great Aussie Pubs website to the creation of the Model, Method and Signal that The Whisperer Team shares via coasters, posters and its website.

We had ice breakers, questions from the audience and photo opportunities wearing The Pub Whisperer Hat (it is an exceptionally lucky one to wear, for reasons explained on the night).

However what I failed to explain in my talk was the startling discovery that simple research has made clear to me, after studying the stats and new info last week in the lead up to the talk.

In regards to the suicide statistics and why both current political parties are doing the barest minimum to assist with suicide prevention in the large scheme of things.

Suicide is the biggest killer of people aged 15 to 44 and the second highest for those aged 45 to 65.

Beyond the human impacts, the economic cost of mental ill health, suicide attempts and suicide is estimated to be $220 billion each year. That’s $220 BILLION EACH YEAR.

The amount the Federal Government has allocated to the Suicide Prevention Leadership & Support program through the new National Suicide Prevention Strategy handed down last month?

Just $69 million.

Over 10 years.

It’s in addition to the $16.6 million investment in First Nations activities under the NSPLSP announced in December last year.

And no one is making this an election issue?

What a joke.