The community will unite in a walk through Mount Isa next Monday (September 11) to honour the memory of loved ones lost to suicide.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The annual event that is now in its seventh year, will be held to coincide with the World Suicide Prevention Day on Sunday September 10.
Event Organiser and Centacare North Queensland Manager Leeanne Harris said the event was a small contribution to go towards supporting our community in being suicide aware.
“Hosting this walk each year gives the opportunity for people to come together from across the North West region in remembering those who we have lost to suicide and those left behind who are bereaved,” Ms Harris said.
“We draw upon each other for support and in doing so, instinctively know that our strength is in our unity - the sum of the whole truly is greater than its parts.”
Special guest participating in the walk is 24 year old multi- award winning CEO and Founder of The Rogue and Rouge Foundation and former National Mental Health Commissioner Nicole Gibson.
Nicole is a fierce ambassador for mental health, innovation and connection after recovering from her own lived experience with anorexia nervosa through her teenage years.
Nicole was awarded Queensland Young Achiever Award Winner in Leadership 2016 and was the youngest person to hold the role of Commonwealth Commissioner for Health in history.
“I’m genuinely looking forward to visiting Mount Isa and connecting with the community,” she said.
“Hosting events such as this is an excellent opportunity to have a large scale impact on topics that are close to my heart.”
Mount Isa parents will have the chance to connect and learn with Nicole when she hosts a free workshop “Understanding Youth” at Centacare on Tuesday September 12.
Nicole said facilitating these activities works well to provide a safe space that enables an honest conversation about a range of issues and encourages individuals to identify meaningful solutions.
The suicide walk meets at the Frank Aston Museum carpark from 5.30pm Monday. The walk will start at 6pm..
A free community event will be held after the walk at the Civic Centre where yellow memorial balloons will be released in the air as a sign of remembrance and love.
For more information and to register your attendance at the Understanding Youth workshop, contact Centacare NQ on 4749 8100.