Stories shared to prevent suicide

HEADSPACE Ballarat and Western Victoria Primary Health Network have produced a new book, encouraging people living with mental health challenges to seek help and treatment.

Share These Stories looks at the experiences of a collection of Central Highlands residents who have been mentally unwell in their life, and projects their voices.

The book aims to provide readers with some strategies to lessen their negative thoughts, and things they can do to delay actions that could be risky or potentially fatal.

Headspace Ballarat manager Janelle Johnson said the publication is a suicide prevention initiative.

“We know that no two stories are the same and perhaps no two coping or wellbeing approaches are the same,” she said.

“Reading about another person’s mental health journey can let those experiencing their own difficulties know that they are not alone, and that help is available.

“The Share These Stories anthology brings a range of lived-experience accounts together in one place to ensure readers feel connected to their community.”

Western Victoria PHN CEO Rowena Clift said this process of storytelling can be an incredibly healing one for people, and that inspired the project.

“This book offers an opportunity to shed light on how lived experience can help others,” she said.

“It allows family, friends, workmates, health professionals and others to recognise, acknowledge, validate and respond in constructive ways to help those in distress.”

Share These Stories has been funded by the State Government and Western Victoria PHN as part of the Suicide Prevention Place Based Trials program.