Renowned Senior Research Fellow at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP) at Griffith University, Dr Kairi Kõlves, will be the special Guest Speaker at two free forums on suicide prevention organised by six local Rotary clubs.
Estimates by the International Association for Suicide Prevention suggest that as many as 1,000,000 people die by suicide across the globe each year; many more make non-fatal attempts.
Unfortunately prevention and control of suicidal behaviours are not easy tasks. Research indicates that the prevention of suicide, while feasible, involves a whole series of activities.
These range from providing the best possible conditions for bringing up our children and youth, through to the effective treatment of mental disorders and the environmental control of risk factors.
Essential elements in the success of suicide prevention programs are the appropriate dissemination of information and awareness-raising. That is why forums such as these are so valuable.
Dr Kõlves’ first talk will be at the Carriers Arms Hotel, 405 Alice Street Maryborough on Wednesday 10 February at 6.30pm.
Rob Wylie, Director of Australian Rotary Health, said “Suicide prevention is an important topic. It is also a difficult subject and one that we need to open up and talk about”. Australian Rotary Health is presently funding an AISRAP suicide prevention research project.
Dr Kõlves’ second talk will be a breakfast meeting at the Hervey Bay RSL Club, 11 Torquay Rd, Pialba on Thursday 11 February starting at 6.30am.
The Rotary clubs are inviting all people in the Maryborough and Hervey Bay communities to avail themselves of this most important opportunity to hear Dr Kõlves speak.
Bookings are essential. Call Richard Souter: 41 241 241 (Breakfast $12 and dinner $20 a head)
Contact:
Gerardine Grace - Media & Communications
Phone: 02 8837 1900
Email: gerardinegrace@australianrotaryhealth.org.au