Hunter businesses are being urged to dedicate an hour of their time this July to learn how to save a local life.

Twelve well-known local business identities have joined the call, encouraging the Newcastle community to take advantage of Question Persuade Refer (QPR), a free, online training program that provides people with the tools to have a conversation that could save a life.

Newcastle-based institute Everymind, which is dedicated to the prevention of suicide and mental ill-health nationally is supporting the local delivery of the QPR project, which has been adapted by the Black Dog Institute for delivery in Australia as part of the LifeSpan trials.

The QPR program which is open to people over 18 who live or work in Newcastle, equips participants with the knowledge and the skills to identify warning signs that someone may be suicidal as well as the confidence to talk to them and connect them with professional care.

Last week a video was released across social media networks featuring;

• Surfest Founder, Warren Smith,
• Newcastle Business Club President, Craig Wellings,
• Newcastle Museum Director, Julie Baird,
• Australian Rugby League Assistant Coach, Michael Hagan,
• HVCC CEO, Kirsten Molloy,
• Screaming Jets singer songwriter and teacher at Atwea College, Grant Walmsley,
• Director of Hamilton Doctors, Dr Ben Seckold,
• COO of Badger Australia, Belinda Smith,
• Founder and CEO of Got Your Back Sista, Melissa Histon-Browning,
• Lead Facilitator of Waves of Wellness, Dave Kelly,
• ABC Newcastle Presenter Dan Cox, and
• Well known media personality and community advocate, Mike Rabbitt.

Each of these people has donated their time and support to promote the QPR training program as a way of helping to prevent suicide in the Newcastle community.

Everymind Director, Jaelea Skehan said having local collaboration and support from local ambassadors encouraging people to complete the QPR course is incredibly important.

“Suicide is something which touches every Australian and every community, including ours,” Jaelea Skehan said.

“On behalf of all the local agencies that have been working together locally in suicide prevention I would like to convey how humbled we feel to have the support of these 12 passionate local identities who have given their voices to this important campaign.”

“I would like to say thank you to each and every one of these ambassadors who have donated their time, energy and participation in supporting us to spread the word about QPR and the role each and every one of us can play,” she said

Local identity and former Screaming Jets musician said his reason for supporting this campaign was a deeply personal one.

“I have lost too many mates to suicide. Anything we can do to help understand how to assist someone who is having suicidal thoughts is a great step forward. An hour spent can save a local life,” Grant said.

Newcastle Museum Director, Julie Baird said she felt privileged to be part of a network of ‘helpers’ who could improve awareness around how to achieve suicide prevention locally.

“Many of us are in regular contact with people who are at risk of suicide without knowing it. Anything that we can do to give people the confidence to help prevent suicide is so important,” Julie said.

Assistant coach of the Australian Rugby league Kangaroos, Michael Hagan said that it was an important issue for people of all walks of life.

“We need to be having more conversations about the way we can help support people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts. This initiative is such an important part of that conversation and I commend the team at Everymind for championing it in the Newcastle area,” Michael said.

Founder and CEO of local charity Got Your Back Sista Melissa Histon said that one of her family had died by suicide.

“People who are experiencing suicidal thoughts may not be able to communicate directly, so being able to understand the warning signs, increase awareness and knowledge through the QPR program is a great tool for our community,” Melissa said.

It’s not just individuals who can get involved according to Everymind Director Jaelea Skehan, local businesses, community groups and sporting clubs can play a role in supporting QPR.

“Some organisations in the Hunter are using the QPR training as part of workplace support for employees, providing each person with an hour of work time to complete it which is amazing,” Jaelea Skehan said.

“We would love to see local Newcastle sports clubs, community groups and charities get involved in rolling out the training to their members and networks as a resource to support their communities.

“QPR is free, takes an hour and can help the people at your business, on your team, in your club, in your street or sitting next to you on your couch to learn how to save a local life.”

“If there is one thing we could ask all Newcastle people to do this July, it’s to do QPR,” she said.

QPR training has been made available as part of LifeSpan Newcastle and additional funding support from the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network. It is available to all adults by visiting the everymind.org.au website.

Interested organisations and businesses can register multiple numbers of participants at no cost.

IMAGE | Still taken from recent video campaign featuring local business personalities