Brendan Simpkins

WELLKNOWN local Gayle Joyce hopes that a reinvigorated Playford Suicide Prevention Network will help start conversations in the area.

Ms Joyce was voted as chair of the network in February when it was started back up in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She came on board after she was approached by Tanya Malins and Karen McColl from the Office of the Premier’s Advocate for Suicide Prevention.

Ms Joyce has been involved in the suicide prevention area for about four years, previously serving as secretary of the Adelaide Plains Suicide Prevention Network.

She was inspired to take part due to her own experiences and from those of family and friends.

“I thought this was a great way to get educated so I can help make the community aware, give them some training and get the message out there that we don’t need to be ashamed of what we go through,” she said.

Originally a group was formed around 2016, however failed to take off as members would have liked.

However the network was reinvigorated when COVID-19 hit earlier this year.

A resident of the Playford area, Ms Joyce said it was important for the community to have access to a resource such as the SPN.

“It is vital that we have Suicide Prevention Networks,” she said.

“We have got the biggest amount of networks here in South Australia, we are now heading towards 52. We had a plan to have 26 but now every council is getting involved which is great.

“It is a place where like-minded people can meet, help educate the community and bring some awareness.”

Goals for the group include to reduce the number of suicides and decrease the stigma surrounding mental health issues, start conversations and create a supportive community for people who might be struggling.

Last Thursday the network held a forum at the Shedley Theatre which featured keynote speakers such as Nathan Bolton, a former Australian Special Forces soldier, and mind health advocate Anthony Hart, among others.

Ms Joyce said great numbers attended the forum and that the group was looking forward to future events.

Meetings of the group are held at 5pm on the first Thursday of the month.

The next two meetings will be held at the Playford Civic Centre, and in the New Year it is planned that they will alternate between the Playford Women’s Shed and the Civic Centre.

Ms Joyce said people were always welcome to come along to the meetings to see what the group is about.

The group is made up of a diverse range of people, from teachers and counsellors to people with lived experiences.

Currently 10 core people are involved in the group, but Ms Joyce said “the more the merrier”.