Safe communication about suicide and mental health
As the release of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide final report draws nearer, it is important that those who work closely with the veteran community use considered language when talking about suicide.
Therefore, in partnership with Mindframe, two training sessions are being held to support safe and sensitive public communication about suicide and mental health concerns.
Mindframe is a national program supporting safe reporting, portrayal and communication about suicide and mental health. Mindframe is managed by Everymind and funded by the Australian Government under the National Suicide Prevention Leadership and Support Program.
The Mindframe training sessions will cover:
- A brief overview of the Mindframe program
- Impacts of problematic communication
- The Mindframe guidelines in-depth
- How to communicate about veteran suicide and findings of the report safely, including for those communicating publicly or engaging with media
- Information about help-seeking and self-care
- Opportunity for a Q&A
Anyone in the veteran community is welcome to attend. However, professionals and representatives from ex-service organisations, community groups, peak media bodies, suicide prevention and mental health organisations, consumer networks and those with communication and media delegation who will engage with the veteran community about suicide and mental health concerns or report on the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide final report are best suited to attend.
Veterans, families and those who provide support can register in one of the two online sessions through the following links:
Please note, you must register to attend as sessions will be capped at 100 participants; in the case that both sessions book out, additional sessions might be held. The sessions will not be filmed.
Resources, including quick reference guides summarizing the Mindframe guidelines, are available at mindframe.org.au
If a veteran or family member is in immediate danger call triple zero (000).
If they are in crisis and need to talk to someone, they can also call Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.