Released 28/08/2018
The ACT Government has awarded almost $60,000 in grants to support suicide prevention and awareness projects, Minister for Mental Health Shane Rattenbury announced today.
Through the Let’s Talk Funding Grants, the Government is supporting the Territory’s mental health sector by helping community organisations to deliver better services to Canberrans we need to reach the most.
The grants have been awarded to four projects which will be conducted by six local community organisations:
- AIDS Action Council of the ACT, in partnership with A Genda Agenda, will receive $20,000 to develop awareness campaigns designed to specifically address mental health and suicide among our LGBTIQ community.
- Lifeline Canberra will receive $9,520 to fund enrolment and training for a further 16 lifeline crisis support volunteers, who will be able to assist an additional 3,000 callers in crisis in the ACT in their first 12 months.
- Mind Blank Ltd, in collaboration with PCYC Canberra, will receive $20,000 to provide better support to schools and academic institutions by developing new suicide prevention presentations and workshops.
- Youth Coalition of the ACT will receive $10,000 to develop a new project that will encourage trained volunteers to assist others in our community by starting conversations and inquiring about their mental health. These projects will be rolled out between now and 30 June 2019.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Mental Health Shane Rattenbury:
“The Government is committed to an integrated approach to mental wellbeing, suicide prevention and self-harm prevention that works with the community as a whole.
“We know that community groups are out there providing services on the front line and are best placed to deliver support services and education to vulnerable Canberrans. That’s why this year’s Let’s Talk Suicide Prevention Funding has established a community grants program to support local groups and organisations to conduct suicide prevention and awareness projects.
“Through the four projects funded, we are working to ensure suicide prevention programs and crisis support are reaching those who need it most, including young people and our the LGBTIQ community.
“These suicide prevention and awareness projects are all being developed in line with best practice principles and the Black Dog Institute’s Lifespan Suicide Prevention evidence-based strategies.”
Media: Minister Rattenbury will formally announce today’s grant recipients at 12pm today – at Lifeline Canberra, Level 1, 71 Northbourne Avenue. Audio and photos will be made available on request.
- Statement ends -
Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases
Media Contacts
| Name | Phone | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|---|