The Suicide Prevention Australia National Conference 2006 will be held from 2-4 November in Glenelg, South Australia.
The Conference will bring together national and international experts as well as those bereaved by suicide and those who have experienced suicidal ideation, to work collaboratively to share experience, research and practice to further advance collaboration.
The Conference, a bi-annual event last held 2004, has this year sought to develop an innovative new style of conference that provides delegates with more opportunities to engage in debate and active discussion rather than relying solely on presentations.
Working with a national reference group, SPA has developed a program that focuses on themes and issues rather than the traditional silo of risk populations. Building on the 2004 ‘Closing the Gap’ conference, the 2006 program will be based on a platform designed to strengthen the bridges and foster sharing across sectors, disciplines, community and perspectives.
A remembrance and healing ceremony will be held during the conference on Friday 3 November from 6pm to 7pm, at Moseley Square in Glenelg.
The ceremony, to be launched by The Mayor of Holdfast Bay, Ken Rolland, will recognise those who have passed on from suicide and those who have lived experience with suicide and to show support to their families and friends.
Calls for proposals from individuals and consortia to contribute to the conference program are now available from the SPA Conference website. Creative ways of addressing the themes and collaborative approaches are particularly sought.
For information about the conference, registration and lodgement of abstracts, visit the SPA Conference website.
2006 Life Awards
Initiated by Suicide Prevention Australia in 2004 the National Life Awards have been developed to recognise the important and outstanding work being done by a large number of community groups and concerned individuals throughout Australia in the area of suicide prevention. The awards acknowledge people and projects that have promoted positive attitudes and offered life affirming support to others in suicide prevention.
The awards categories cover areas such as Business and Industry, Indigenous Health, Responsible Media Reporting - Print and Non Print, Research, Youth, and the Public Sector.
Suicide Prevention Australia is now seeking nominations for the 2006 event to be held in September, closing date August 18.
Nominations are open to anyone who has had involvement in the above categories. To get more information and a nomination form, visit the SPA website.