MEDIA: Neffy’s Walk talks suicide prevention
A special walking event was held on Saturday in Shepparton to talk about suicide prevention and remember those affected.
Participants gathered for Neffy’s Walk – Let’s Talk at the Shepparton Lake Walking Track where they could purchase a candle and take a memorial walk around the lake to remember those affected by suicide.
Supporters could also donate securely online via organiser Steve Neff’s mycause event page.
The event fundraised for Lifeline Loddon Mallee, who works with local communities to help prevent and reduce the impact of suicide, while providing lifesaving crisis support and easy access for those who need help.
The donations from the walk and online fundraiser will be used to train additional Lifeline crisis supporter telephone operators in the Shepparton region.
Lifeline has a network of more than 11,000 volunteers across Australia, with over 70 based in Bendigo and Mildura with Lifeline Loddon Mallee.
Lifeline has reported receiving thousands more calls since the start of the pandemic. 2022 saw a 9% increase in suicides across Victoria compared to the previous year.
A study by Beyond Blue has highlighted first responders and emergency service workers as at the highest risk for suicide and mental injury. This is attributed to the accumulated trauma they often face in their work.
If you are inspired by Neffy's Walk - Let's Talk and would like to see more people supporting important causes and remembering their loved ones, you can consider checking out other inspiring pages where people commemorate their loved ones, including their friends, family and colleagues, or start your fundraising page by clicking the button below.