#YouCanTalk about suicide and save lives

In an Australian first, leading mental health and suicide prevention organisations are joining forces to support the general public to talk openly about suicide with their friends and family in a bid to save more lives.

Launching today, #YouCanTalk marks a new direction - and collaboration - for suicide prevention in Australia, led by beyondblue, Black Dog Institute, Everymind, headspace, Lifeline, ReachOut and R U OK?.

It is an unprecedented national campaign giving people the confidence and tools to ask direct questions about suicide if they observe signs family or friends are not themselves or appear deeply troubled.

#YouCanTalk is a direct response to a landmark survey of 3000 people in Australia that found many want to do more to prevent suicide in their communities, but don’t know how. This includes half of all respondents believing only mental health professionals can help prevent suicide, while 40 per cent worried talking about suicide made things worse.

The campaign aims to mobilise the community and empower family and friends to act as ‘eyes and ears’ to ensure their loved ones can get support before reaching crisis point.

This includes recognising the signs that someone may be thinking of suicide, how to talk about it openly and honestly and what to do if someone says they are not coping and need support.

By giving Australians the resources, training and support they need to help prevent suicide, #YouCanTalk will, in turn, seek to reduce suicide rates. In 2016, 2866 people died by suicide in Australia.

To find out how to safely talk about suicide, support the campaign or access support services follow #YouCanTalk on social media or go to www.lifeinmindaustralia.com.au/youcantalk.