Taking control and supporting one-another

The Spring Bay Suicide Prevention Network is proof of the huge difference a relatively small investment can make to the strength of a community.

Network President Cheryl Weily knew that her small rural community on Tasmania’s east coast was lacking skills to help support people struggling with their mental health.

She had noticed that service delivery people, such as hairdressers, grocery store staff, cricket and netball players and other key community members, had minimal training in this area and that it was taking a toll on them, as well as on the person facing challenges.

“It came about from that community concern that we could go or be, and we were very much and still are very much at risk of drought and hard times,” Cheryl said.

“If we had a drought here, we have farms, we have fish farms – and we have a lot of businesses that are dependent on money coming into the area.

“Plus, we had those special community needs where people may be isolated just because they didn’t have neighbours. So that was the idea, let’s bring everybody together, let’s act now, get this foundation level so that they had some communication skills under their belt.”

She was thrilled that FRRR supported her application for the $7,425 investment needed to roll out Accidental Counsellor training with Lifeline Tasmania, which they decided to run at three different times during the day, so that workers could attend in the evenings after their shift had finished.

Starting up a fortnightly newsletter and running a three-month follow-up session were also critical to ensure that the content of the workshops stayed with participants.

“I wasn’t prepared to compromise. Because I know bloomin’ well, you’ll go and do the Accidental Counsellor course, you’ll walk away and a week later you won’t remember anything of it. So, I wasn’t prepared to compromise that,” she said.

“It was the most well-attended training I think because it was not just one off. If I’d had a one off, I might have only got 15, 16 people. But because it was spread, we impacted on 42 people.

“It wasn’t too fast paced, it wasn’t just a lecture. It was sitting and working through scenarios and having that chance to actually put their skills into place and watch people role playing how you could or could not talk appropriate ways to talk or not talk with somebody who might be really struggling with their mental health.”

Since the training Cheryl said she has noticed a better foundation of supportive communication skills in the local area. Community members are now more aware of which services support mental health in the area and more confidence in having difficult conversations with people who are struggling.

“It’s only serendipity, but I am really proud. I’m proud that we pulled it off. I really hope and believe that it’s made a difference,” Cheryl said.

“At least they know that we are not a community that’s isolated that has to put up and shut up, that we can reach out and that there are people who will come to our area and support.”

The Network has also made ongoing community network connections with local industry and business such as TASSAL, Seaforest and Elphinstone’s, for ongoing support for their employees.

She said it’s made people more alert to the signs of what to watch out for.

“We often feel forgotten here. Our medical services are not good. We are struggling with keeping GPs,” Cheryl said.

“So, you can feel like we lose services, like banks close up or shops close up. But to have that support coming into our area was really just wonderful and greatly appreciated.”