VETERAN Salvation Army suicide prevention campaigner 86 year old Alan Staines OAM has yesterday completed his walk from Canberra to Sydney promoting the message that we need more services for those bereaved by suicide.
The determined octogenarian and his 65-year-old supportive wife Lois were welcomed into Sydney by state Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies, family, friends and the Chatswood High School Concert Band at the rear of NSW Parliament.
His Walk for Life took in several towns, where he spoke to local communities along the route. "Those impacted by suicide are up to eight times more likely to take their own lives than the general population," said Staines.
"Deaths in Australia due to suicide now exceed motor vehicle accidents, war, natural disasters and homicides combined.
"The hidden costs of suicidal behaviour are estimated to be $17 billion a year, and yet, there is little attention given to the issue of suicide."
Staines and Postvention Australia are calling on all sections of government to urgently implement strategies to stem the tide of suicides by providing much needed services for the thousands impacted.
"There are at least eight suicides (8.6) a day in Australia according to the latest ABS research. With each suicide, there are at least 135 people directly impacted as a result," Staines said.
See facebook.com/alswalkforlife for more information or donate at postventionaustralia.org.
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