A BENCH spreading awareness for suicide prevention and providing a space for those bereaved by suicide to reflect has been installed in Berri.
The reflection seat, donated by the Berri Barmera Council at the request of the Riverland Community Suicide Prevention Network (RCSPN), was unveiled by Mayor Peter Hunt at Martin Bend Reserve during a ceremony last Wednesday.
RCSPN chair Jenni Hampel said the network had unveiled benches in Barmera, Renmark, Loxton and now Berri.
“It feels great that we are covering a lot of the areas in the Riverland now because suicide isn’t a concern just for one town or one pocket of the community – it’s a concern for everyone,” she said.
“I have had some positive feedback from people saying they have driven past the benches and seen people sitting there.
“I hope everyone feels comfortable to sit on these seats.
“Everything that we put out there in the community about suicide prevention is a positive thing.”
Member for Chaffey Tim Whetstone, who spoke at the ceremony, said the RCSPN was a “great support network for suicide prevention”.
“In South Australia we know the regions, with the farm economy, have some of the highest rates of suicide, so it’s important that as a community we give a level of support to those who are doing it tough,” he said.
“It’s also important to acknowledge Val Fewster and CORES, which is about getting people trained to pick the people who are doing it tough and look for the signs, and I think they are doing an outstanding job.
“It’s a very serious issue, but it is an issue that is now getting greater prominence.
“The Premier’s suicide prevention advocate has now been given more resources so they have a bigger reach.
“I’ve known a number of farmers who have taken their lives and that’s why I’m so passionate about, at every opportunity, making sure I contribute to suicide prevention.
“We all go through challenging periods in our life… and some people need help to get through that.
“This bench is a community beacon so people know they can come down here and reflect and have a conversation with someone if they need to.”
Ms Hampel said Waikerie-based support group Silent Ripples was currently working to install reflection seats near the Waikerie silos.