Suicide impacts individuals, families and communities – but we can make a difference. ‘Start the Chat’ is a community campaign offering free 1-hour online training to build confidence in talking about suicide.
You can make a difference
Things you can do
Recognise signs.
Act Quickly
Notice changes in mood, behaviour or routines - like hopelessness, risky behaviours, loss of interest in life and withdrawal.
Start the Chat.
Call, text or visit
Ask directly how they are. Listen with empathy and non-judgement. Your presence can make a difference.
Connect.
Helpline. GP. Counsellor
Support them to seek help - whether to a GP, counsellor or helpline or someone they trust. Offer to help them make the call or go with them.
Common misconceptions about reaching out
Misunderstandings about suicide can make it harder to start the chat
Evidence shows asking about suicide does not increase risk
Ask directly. It shows you care and could save a life.
Many people want to talk but don't know how to start
Be the one to reach out. Starting the chat can make a difference.
You don't need to have all the answers to help
Support starts with being present, listening and reassuring.
Support starts with connection
Reach out, connect locally, and discover the power of shared experience.
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The Men's Table
The Men's Table is a community building and men's mental health and suicide prevention initiative.
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Safe Haven
Walk-in peer-delivered mental health support
9 John St, Salisbury
5pm – 9pm, Tuesday to Friday -
Suicide Prevention Networks
Suicide Prevention Networks are a key element of the South Australian approach to community suicide prevention.
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Peer CARE Companion Warmline
Suicide prevention call-back service providing a safe place for people with a lived experience of suicide to connect with others with a similar lived experience
Real stories
Suicide does not discriminate. It can affect your loved one, your friend, your colleague.
Marc's Story
(he/him) | Age 44
For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived with daily thoughts of suicide. Some days they whisper. Some days they scream.
Peta-Anne's Story
(they/she) | Age 52
I was disassociating, and I kept saying over and over that ‘my brain’s broken’ and ‘I can’t do this anymore’.
Eva's Story
(she/her) | Age 36
I reached the lowest point in my life. Having three children under the age of four at that time, I was constantly exhausted with sleep deprivation.
Jono's Story
(he/him) | Age 48
Without my father's care and concern during some of the toughest times of my life, I don't believe I would have made it through nine months of on-again, off-again suicidal thoughts.
Jenn's Story
(she/her) | Age 29
I became really good at hiding how I felt, always smiling, cracking jokes and deflecting. Inside I felt completely lost.
Kerry's Story
(she/her) | Age 46
There have been times when I felt overwhelmed, disconnected, and unsure how to keep going. I’ve experienced trauma, grief, relationship breakdowns...
This brand awareness campaign has been informed by people with lived and living experience of suicide and is supported by funding from Adelaide PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.
With support from
Adelaide PHN acknowledges and pays our deepest gratitude to those who have contributed to the design and implementation of the Campaign and acknowledge the bravery of people in sharing their story to amplify community impact.