Working Together to Prevent Suicide: Supporting Lifeline Mid Coast and Strengthening the Bill for Change

This month I had the opportunity to talk with Catherine Vaara, CEO of Lifeline Mid Coast, to discuss the critical work they’re doing right here in our region, and why changes to the Suicide Prevention Act are so important for our community.

Most people know Lifeline for their 13 11 14 crisis support line. But what many don’t realise is that our local Lifeline service also provides vital suicide prevention and postvention support, funded entirely through the Lifeline Mid Coast op shops. That’s right - every item bought or donated helps fund services that support those impacted by suicide, including bereavement groups, community outreach, and support for people who have attempted suicide.

In the past year alone, Lifeline Mid Coast has supported over 200 people in bereavement and 40 people through their closed support group for those who have attempted suicide. Their trained volunteers and peer support workers also respond to communities in crisis following local suicides and natural disasters.

Catherine and I spoke about the current amendments to the Suicide Prevention Act, which are making their way through Parliament. These changes aim to ensure a whole-of-government approach to suicide prevention, with better collaboration across health, police, education, and community sectors.

This kind of strategy is long overdue.

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for men aged 15 to 44. Nationally, around 3,000 Australians die by suicide every year, more than are lost on our roads. In regional areas like ours, the impact is even more profound. Lifeline Mic Coast alone answers around 25,000 calls each year as part of a national total of over one million.

One of the most sobering insights from our conversation is that nearly 50% of people who die by suicide haven’t reached out for help in the previous 12 months. When someone is in crisis, the part of the brain responsible for reasoning and decision-making can shut down, leaving only emotion. That’s why timely, compassionate intervention is so important, and why Lifeline’s model of care and warm referrals is making such a difference.

The amendment to the Suicide Prevention Act recognises that no one agency can solve this alone. It calls for a coordinated, consistent, and inclusive strategy that reflects the different needs of young people, First Nations communities, culturally diverse groups, and those facing social isolation or mental health challenges.

Catherine’s message was clear: suicide is not about wanting to die, it’s about wanting the pain to stop. With the right supports in place, people can be connected to hope, to community, and to the help they need.

This is about rebuilding lives and restoring hope. And that’s why I fully support the amendments to the Suicide Prevention Act and will continue advocating for more funding, better collaboration, and stronger recognition of the incredible work being done by services like Lifeline Mid Coast.

To everyone involved with Lifeline - from volunteers in the shops to the trained crisis supporters on the phones - thank you for the work you do every day to keep our community safe, supported, and connected.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 - support is available 24/7.