September 10th, 2019 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, and one woman is convincing society that power within the people can change loneliness and suicide now!

Online PR News � 10-September-2019 � September 10th, 2019 marks world suicide prevention day, and one woman is convincing society that power within the people can change loneliness and suicide now!

What can we do in a world where funding is being cut to the bone, where services are stretched and closing, and where people are dying? Clinical Psychotherapist, and author of the 'pay it forward' SEMPI Social Communication Model, Alyse Price-Tobler believes that she has found an answer that doesn't rely on government funding, and can never be stopped. "We are putting out a call to arms for community members to learn SEMPI communication skills to defend and support our most vulnerable friends, family and colleagues when they see that someone is not O.K. By realising our power, learning better listening skills, and then paying them forward, we can stop loneliness, empathy can grow, and we can reduce suicide. Anyone from age 5 could benefit from learning these skills so that next time they ask someone "Are You O.K" and the person says "No", they will know exactly what to do. Last year alone we lost nearly 800,000 people to suicide worldwide. This is completely unacceptable. Services can't possible keep on top of that figure. Hence, the call to arms!" said Alyse Price-Tobler.

"It is time for us to start to call on our innate compassion, and stop allowing fear, prudence and professional intelligence from the experts interfere with our decisions. The world is full of competent people who are not experts, or academics, and we are always able to do something to help another if we are given a chance. If we dont stand up and take back control now, we will never be able to venture toward the lifesaving idea of going into the ocean to save people, and feel confident about it. We need to trust ourselves, and each other again. We have to bring forth a new type of avant-garde to shake people out of their emancipation," said Ms Price-Tobler.

We need to be harnessing this momentum is critical to ensure productive and meaningful solutions are put in place to drive suicide rates down. suicide prevention Australia CEO, Nieves Murray said, Never before have we seen so much political attention focused on suicide prevention. Governments at a state and national level are focused and some are now calling suicide prevention a priority.

It is a national tragedy that we lose so many people to suicide. We can all make a difference in the lives of those who might be struggling by having regular, meaningful conversations about life's ups and downs. Working together to prevent suicide, raise awareness and encourage conversations is important, said Ms Murray. Everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide. Choices we make today can help prevent suicide. Suicide prevention remains a universal challenge. Every year, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death globally for people of all ages.

Remember, you don't need to be a clinician, a GP, or a nurse to check-in with someone you are worried about - just a good friend and a great listener. The SEMPI Social Communication Model was recently taught at the Australian National Suicide Prevention Conference, so that community members can learn the skills to have a deeper level of conversation and save lives within their own communities, right now. The SEMPI Social Communication Model teaches everyone from age 5 and up, how to become a SEMPI First Responder if they ask the question, Are You O.K? and the person says NO, said Ms Price-Tobler. The Aussie designed SEMPI Social Communication Model is across the world and currently being taught in schools, hospitals, within the military, homeless shelters, church groups, and first responder groups.
Some conversations can be too big for friends and family. If youre worried about someone and feel they need professional support, encourage them to connect with a trusted health professional.

Suicide is a prominent community concern in Australia with the ABS reporting 3,128 deaths by suicide in 2017. The recently released report titled Psychosocial risk factors for coroner-referred deaths in Australia also identified problems in relationships and economic circumstances as key factors when it came to suicidality. This means that we have to start looking at suicide as more than a mental health issue. We believe that through collaborative effort and shared purpose, we can achieve our shared vision of a world without suicide, said Ms Murray. World Suicide Prevention Day is organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).

Contact Details
Name Alyse Price-Tobler
Email [email protected]

Helpful resources
Learn what to do if you ask someone Are You O.K? and they answer NO at the SEMPI Social Communication Model website www.sempi.net
For pointers on how to start safe conversations around suicide check the #YouCanTalk campaign here.
To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
Help to report about suicide safely is available online: Go to www.mindframe.org.au