The Centre for Rural and Regional Mental Health (CRRMH) will host the forum to follow up on is rural suicide prevention paper, teaming up with Collective Purpose Partners, WayAhead, NSW Mental Health Carers and Being and Wellbeing Consumer Advisory Group, for the collective speaker series. 

Participants will hear from community advocates about building resilience and establishing protective measures for young people. 

CRRMH director Professor Perkins said he looked forward to hearing ideas for prevention strategies. 

“When the suicide figures came out in September 2017 they indicated there was a very small decrease in the number of people dying by suicide, which is encouraging, but nonetheless, when the rates are twice the rates of metro areas we clearly need to address this,” he said. 

In 2016, the number of suicides per 100,000 people in rural and remote Australia was 50 percent higher than in capital cities and grew as areas became more remote

The rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was twice that for non-Indigenous people.

The event will be held at the Orange Public School hall from 6pm-7.30pm

Registration for the event is essential and can be done at www.eventbrite.com.au.

Tickets are $10 or $5 for concession. Light refreshments will be available.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.

If you’re concerned about your own or someone else’s mental health, you can call the NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.