Community Gatekeepers are members of the community who have been trained to:
Saving someone’s life can begin with having a chat. Community Gatekeepers:
About 50 per cent of people who die by suicide have not had contact with a health service in the past 12 months.Black Dog Institute, 2021
About 50 per cent of people who die by suicide have not had contact with a health service in the past 12 months.
Anyone can be a Community Gatekeeper.
You don’t need extensive clinical training to have the skills to support someone experiencing suicidal thinking.
Community Gatekeepers can be:
Community Gatekeeper Training includes:
If you want more information or would like to undergo training to become a Community Gatekeeper, please contact one of the following organisations near you.
Supporting communities and industries across NSW including veterinarians, rural and remote communities, first responders, legal practices and other groups.
LivingWorks Education is a leading provider of suicide prevention training and delivers training programs across the world to increase the skills and confidence of participants in suicide prevention and intervention. LivingWorks are offering three training options:
There is no pre-requisite to attend LivingWorks training, anyone who wants to make a difference can do the training.
Call: 1300 738 382 Email: info@livingworks.com.au Website: LivingWorks
Supporting the Murrumbidgee community.
Wellways are offering three training options:
Training is open to anyone in the Murrumbidgee who would like to feel more prepared to recognise suicide warning signs and support someone when they may need it most.
Call: Ned Evans, Suicide Prevention Community Development Coordinator on 0428143936 or Wellways Murrumbidgee on (02) 5925 5911. Email: Ned Evans, Suicide Prevention Community Development Coordinator at nevans@wellways.org
Website: Wellways
Supporting male-dominated workplaces, or organisations that employ, interact with, or support a high number of men aged 45 and over on the South Coast.
Lifeline South Coast is helping employers in male dominated workplaces incorporate suicide prevention strategies into their employee health and wellbeing initiatives, as men are at greater risk of suicide than the general population.
The training equips workers with the knowledge and skills required to identify suicide warning signs, facilitate supportive conversations, and refer their colleagues to appropriate services and resources. Through upskilling employees and supporting those at risk of suicide, workplaces become healthier, happier, and more resilient. Training is flexible and can be delivered either face to face or virtually, and over one day or across multiple days. Contact Lifeline South Coast to ask training for your workplace.
Email: training@llsc.org.au. Website Lifeline South Coast
Supporting Aboriginal Communities in the Shoalhaven.
Community Linker Training is culturally tailored training for Aboriginal community members and organisations who provide services to Aboriginal communities. The training supports Aboriginal people at-risk of suicide to access support more readily, and helps to bridge the gap between at-risk community members and professional services.
Community Linker Suicide Prevention Training is being delivered in partnership between the University of Wollongong MIND the GaP facility (Shoalhaven campus) and the South Coast Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation. Participants have the opportunity to provide feedback and evaluate the Community Linker Training program. The evaluation is intended to inform future training development and increase the effectiveness of suicide prevention programs for Aboriginal communities, contributing to the prevention of suicide amongst Aboriginal people.
Contact the University of Wollongong for upcoming training dates.
Call: (02) 4239 3852 (Community Linker Training Coordinator) or (02) 4429 1599 (MIND the GaP Reception). Email: community-linkers@uow.edu.au
Supporting people working in or connected to the Building and Construction Industry including young apprentices, apprentice mentors, support staff and others.
Master Builders has partnered with Mates in Construction to deliver safeTALK training, a half a day face to face course that teaches participants to identify people at risk of suicide, engage with them and connect them to resources to help them.
Master Builders Young Gatekeepers Program aims to educate young people, youth mentors, and adults working with young people about suicide, challenging attitudes, and teaching suicide intervention skills.
Call: Omesh Jethwani, Government Projects & Programs Manager on (02) 8586 3539. Email: Omesh Jethwani, Government Projects & Programs Manager at ojethwani@mbansw.asn.au
Supporting community members in regular contact with young people, men, seniors and emergency services in the Northern Beaches, Sydney.
Northern Beaches Council are offering Accidental Counsellor training for the local community to support people who might be at risk of suicide and ensure they are referred to appropriate mental health services and supports. The training can be completed over two 2-hour zoom sessions that will equip people to recognise when others are struggling, respond appropriately with confidence and refer someone to the best community-based help on the Northern Beaches.
Website Northern Beaches Council – Suicide Prevention Community Gatekeeper Training
The Community Gatekeeper Training initiative has funded organisations across the state to deliver specialised, evidence-based suicide prevention training courses.
As of 23 January 2023, more than 8,219 people in NSW have already completed a Gatekeeper Training course.