38 people have committed suicide in Roleystone in the last 12 years according to Dr Ojo. As I understand, recently its been young adults in their 20's.

There was a closed pilot meeting last night about the recent suicides in Roleystone. Members from the Football Club, Fire brigade, Councillor Pat Hart and even Alannah MacTiernan were there.

Julian Krieg from Wheatbelt Men's Heath gave us a presentation on what to look for and how to help people in crisis. His course is similar to that of a first aid course. As in first aid you need to know the basics to keeping a person alive and getting them to help. The same principals apply.

Importantly he explains... "It is safe to talk about suicide - you won't make matters worse - you could make it significantly better."

There are plans to have a public program in the Roleystone town hall. "The knowledge outlined in the program is designed to help you, should the need arise, to talk to a distress person."

So keep an eye on the local rags and Roleynet for the upcoming suicide meetings and programs. Linda from the Courier is also doing an article in the next issue.

Like most people, I'm very ignorant to all this, and like most have absolutely no counselling skills. I have avoided the topic until now. But as Julian says, it's general people in the community like us that need to at least know the basics because, some day, we may be in a position to assist a person in need.

For people in crisis or for professional advice, these help lines are available...

*)Mensline 1300 78 99 78

*)LifeLine 13 11 14

*)Suicide Helpline 1300 651 251

*)Dr Ojo - Roleystone Family Medical Centre 93977122

If you would like to know about Julian's course - 96902277

And, if you have anything to say or add - feel free to use this forum. If you feel it appropriate, please share your experience with us. Maybe we can can learn by your experiences.

Good Morning,

Just updating on the status of ‘where we are’ at the current moment. A fair bit of movement and planning has taken place in the last few weeks and significant steps forward took place after meeting with Melissa Perry (Executive Manager from Centrecare) and Cath Ashton (Network Coordinator) yesterday. I met them both and I can assure you they are fresh and keen when it comes to listening to what we have to say and they want change as much as we do.

Centrecare are going to play a huge role in moving forward and implementing the steps necessary to create change and improve the community resources, facilities and support networks. They have been chosen by mental health Minister Graham Jacobs and other government bodies to implement the Governments $13 Million Western Australian Suicide Prevention Strategy. See link for more www.centrecare.com.au/resources/suicidestrategy%20290510.doc

Roleystone- Karragullen is the first suburb to run with the program and all eyes will be on us as we are seen as the pilot for the program in these beginning stages.

This is extremely exciting and should be seen as an honour to those who have been requesting a change in our small community.

Other news includes the establishment now of a unified and recognised group, the Roleystone- Karragullen Suicide Prevention Group has officially been registered as a community organisation and this gives us the power to be far more official in our requests to council/parliament or anything of that nature in future.

A final step now into nominating key members of the group will take place on Monday the 13th of September.

Centrecare quite understandably would like to meet with members of the community who would like to have a say regarding the proposed action plan for Roleystone-Karragullen and this invitation to the forum will be sent shortly. It is unproductive to have too many people in one small room sharing ideas so numbers will have to be limited.

If you do not receive an invitation but feel that you have something important to say please send me an email to Evie.Molson@westrac.com.au and I will ensure your message is relayed.

Some of the items to be discussed and action plans to be assigned for will include;

1. Upgrades to local youth facilities (eg the Skate Park) & improvement in activities available to youth especially in school holiday times.

2. Access to funds for ongoing workshops in sporting clubs to support the initiatives

3. Access to funds for ongoing workshops for parent groups

4. Gatekeeper training for those who request it

5. Bullying programs for schools and after school care facilities

6. A community liaison officer who is able to coordinate programs and be a voice for the community

7. Assistance with the running of family, friendly additions to local sporting events

8. Better promotion of help lines and other counselling services specific to our location’s needs

9. Improvements in the transition from year 10 to year 11 at new high schools, to better build resilience in teens at this vulnerable age


Please pass this email on to anyone that you feel should be included.

I look forward to the change ahead and hope you do too.

Kind Regards,
Evie Molson
0418 956 519

What an amazing couple of weeks we as a community have had!

Firstly I will recap on what happened on Monday night last week. A small group of people who will most likely form the committee were present to meet the Centre Care team who will be assisting us as a community in reaching our goals.

Action items were raised but most importantly the idea to perform some much needed research into the families and situations of past victims of suicide was brought up. Linda Moore, Editor/Owner of the Roleystone Courier put her hand up to begin talking to some of the families affected by suicide and collaborate with Centrecare and her own magazine to create some kind of awareness of how normal families with normal lives can fall into the high risk category. The research will also include the assistance of Edith Cowan University in the creation of a simple questionnaire that will enable Centrecare to establish just how high risk/suicidal behaviour and depression are perceived in the community.
It will give a clear idea as to where the community are finding gaps in the system ie; Not enough access to assistance, poor resources, isolation or perhaps on the flip side they may feel that things are in perfect order. Either way these results will enable us a committee to understand the community’s needs better and know where to start.

Centre Care managed to hear from Roleystone & Karragullen residents about where they felt some of the issues arose from, more importantly brave parents of suicide victims came and spoke about their experiences. All of this information helped Centrecare get a real feel for us and what we expect from them. The group was pleased with the level of support offered and were reassured by Mellissa Perry (Centrecares Executive Manager) that we have their full support and attention.
I am meeting with Cath Ashton (Roleystone’s Network Coordinator from Centrecare) again this week to discuss the actions from last Mondays meeting.

Last night saw Roleystone Hall host the Bendigo Bank Big Ideas Community Forum. This went very well and keen members of the committee turned up and shared our own ideas on what could be done with the help of grants and assistance from within the community. Special thanks to Jane Hawkins, Chris Horgan and Bruce Waddell , all who contributed to the big Ideas we have been discussing at our meetings.

It was with a great feeling of relief that we saw the community members who did turn up vote Including more youth activities and a youth worker as their number 1 big idea as an improvement for the Roleystone/Karragullen area. That to me states that we are all thinking along the same lines!
Other ideas included making the swimming hole at Roley Pools more accessible and family friendly with the inclusion of more picnic amenities/ ablutions etc. A BBQ on a trailer that could be hired out for a minimal cost for groups to fundraise with, A town bus that could be hired and used to support group activities. Plus many many more.

Our Next meeting at the Family Centre is scheduled for October, an invite with Dates and times etc will be sent soon.

Thanks again for your continued affiliation with such a great cause, its very obvious to see we are making headway already so early on.
I look forward to the next contact.