MEMORIAL SERVICE TO BREAK SILENCE ON SUICIDE
Wesley Mission LifeForce will hold a Memorial Day Service for people touched by the tragic circumstances of suicide in Newcastle this Thursday.
The Memorial Day Service will bring people together in a spirit of comfort and hope, allowing them the space to grieve and reflect.
LifeForce is a suicide prevention program dedicated to helping reduce the rate of suicide in Australia.
For every suicide death there are at least fifteen immediate family members and friends whose lives are changed forever,” said Rev Keith Garner, CEO of Wesley Mission, Sydney.
It’s vital to break the silence on suicide so that we don’t perpetuate the cycle of despair that began the tragedy. Suicide obeys no demographic profile – it just looks for troubled hearts.”
Speaking at the service will be Reverend Keith Garner, Faye Hawley, a local women who lost her son to suicide and Madelin Fisher a 24 year old graduate from Newcastle University.
After experiencing the suicides of her Uncle David Dennis in 2004 and her boyfriend Ben Baigent in 2007, Madelin established a support group network for people bereaved by suicide.
Australian Idol runner up, Luke Dickens will be performing some acoustic songs and a memorial wall will be set up for family’s to place a photo and personalised message.
At the completion of the service, there will also be a time for people to place sunflowers into the water as a symbolic act to remember loved ones.
The media is invited to attend but is requested to observe the protocols of working with mourners who may desire anonymity.
If you are in need of urgent support or are worried about someone, please contact your local GP (doctor) or the agencies below:
Lifeline 131114 - Kids Helpline 1800 551800
DATE: Thursday 22 October 2009
VENUE: Newcastle Railway Sheds, Stevenson Place, East Newcastle
TIME: Service starts at 1:00pm till 2:00pm
