The Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland Branch has partnered with Australian mental health and suicide prevention social enterprise ConNetica to deliver free, early suicide prevention training programs in 2020.
The integrated training programs, ‘Conversations for life’ and ‘Stronger smarter yarns for life’, will be available to community pharmacy staff and members of the public.
“By integrating both community pharmacy staff as well as members of the public, this training promotes community connections and social media inclusion, while reducing stigma related to mental illness,” Guild Queensland Branch President Trent Twomey said.
He adds that given more than 3,000 people die in Australia due to suicide and 80,000-90,000 people attempt to take their own life, “it’s critical that pharmacy staff and the community are confident in engaging in conversations with people at risk for early intervention”.
“Community pharmacies are highly accessible and frequently visited health destinations, and staff are well placed for significant interactions with members of the public who may be at risk,” he said.
‘Conversations for life’
This half-day evening workshop is aimed at providing participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to have conversations with those showing signs of distress.
The program will be delivered in Gympie, Cooroy, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Eidsvold and Biggenden.
‘Stronger smarter yarns for life’
This full-day workshop, developed together with 2016 NAIDOC Person of the Year Professor Chris Sarra, is designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-indigenous people.
The program will be delivered in Eidsvold and Biggenden only.
Registration
To register for the training programs, visit: www.guild.org.au/guild-branches/qld/training/guild-education-and-cpd/upcoming-sessions/suicide-prevention-education-and-training
