Hope for Life Champions

One of the key messages of Hope for Life is that everyone has a role to play in suicide prevention and bereavement support.  The Champions initiative gives people in the community an opportunity to make a difference by raising awareness about the impact of suicide and educating people to be able to recognise the  warning signs and being there for people who may be at risk of suicide.

Champions seek to engage others in suicide prevention and bereavement support activities. They educate people about issues and ways to help. They also advocate on behalf of those at risk, those bereaved and the Hope for Life project by providing information and creating community linkages at the local level.

The Hope for Life Champions initiative aims to build the capacity of Australians to help each other.

Champions  look for, and create, opportunities to champion the suicide prevention cause as part of their everyday life. They may do this by offering to speak at their local school assembly, putting up posters on local notice boards, visiting community centres and other relevant organisations to talk about Hope for Life or undertaking other activities in their local community that will help to educate others about suicide prevention and bereavement support issues.

Why do we need Hope for Life Champions?

Suicide can happen to anyone.  Suicide crosses all boundaries including age, socio economic position, gender, ethnicity and family status and yet suicide is a preventable form of death.  If people feel supported, if they have access to a listening ear, if they are given hope that tomorrow will be better, that the future can be brighter, people who are suicidal can go on to live happy, productive and fulfilling lives.

Hope for Life Champions can do all of this, and are needed in all walks of life; in schools, in the workplace, in churches, in youth groups, in sporting clubs and in all areas of the community.

Who are Hope for Life Champions?

Hope for Life Champions are ordinary people who care about others and are keen to make a difference in the area of suicide prevention and supporting those who have lost a loved one through the tragedy of suicide.  Hope for Life Champions are special people who volunteer to be a shining light of hope in their community.

How to become a Hope for Life Champion

Hope for life is recruiting Champions and we will provide training and resources which will equip Champions to become Agents of Hope in their local community.

To find out more about becoming a Hope for Life Champion please complete the on line application form and we will contact you within the next week to provide further information.

Upcoming Training NSW only: Thursday 2nd February 2012