A Port Macquarie cinema owner Kieren Dell, who lost his daughter to suicide, has launched a campaign to help raise mental health awareness.

Last year, Kieren Dell’s daughter Madeline tragically took her own life.

She was 30 years old.

To help reduce stigma and spark conversation around suicide awareness, Kieren’s team came up with ‘Reach for Help Week’.

It’s hoped the initiative will help prevent other families having to go through the same pain of losing a loved one, too soon.

Suicide Prevention Australia:

Suicide Prevention Australia is the national peak body for the suicide prevention sector. We exist to provide a clear, collective voice for suicide prevention, so that together we can save lives.

We believe that through collaboration and shared purpose, we can work towards our ambition of a world without suicide.

Latest data reinforces need for ongoing suicide prevention reform

Sadly in 2020 3,139 people died by suicide, with an age-standardised death rate of 12.1 deaths per 100,000 people, the lowest rate since 2016.

This compares to a rate of 12.9 in 2019. There were 2,384 male suicides (18.6 deaths per 100,000) and 755 female suicide deaths (5.8 per 100,000). Suicide was the 15th ranked cause of death in 2020.

Suicide Prevention Australia CEO, Nieves Murray said, “The decline in suicide rates in 2020 is welcome news. Any reduction in deaths by suicide is a positive sign yet these rates remain too high, and we need to continue our focus on turning the trend towards zero suicides.

“While this data includes the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s important to note suicide is complex, multi-factorial human behaviour with many associated risk factors.

“It’s also important to note that each number presented in this data represents a life lost which was valued and will be missed.”

“During a very challenging 2020, additional investments in suicide prevention services and major protective supports such as JobKeeper and JobSeeker have helped those who have needed it most.

“Our sector has worked harder than ever before during this pandemic. According to the 2021 State of the Nation in Suicide Prevention, 84% of providers reported an increase in demand over the past 12 months. Declines in suicide rates are a credit to their tireless efforts.

“We know these challenging times continue in our community. Crisis calls are at record highs and distress continues across the community,” said Ms Murray.

“The good news is people are seeking help and it’s important this continues in the months and years ahead to prevent any future increases. We’re seeing what can be achieved with additional investment and with whole-of-government approaches, and we need to continue it.

More info at | suicidepreventionaust.org

Video By | Mia Tyquin