Suicide Prevention Australia Conference & LiFE Award
On the 2nd of May SR4L Lidia & Bogusia attended the SPA conference at the Convention Centre Canberra.
Hosted by Suicide Prevention Australia annually, the 2023 National Suicide Prevention Conference explored the theme of Reconnect, Reform, Reshape as we emerge from the pandemic.
The Conference was the first face-to-face national conference in several years and approximately hosted 600 delegates. It presented a unique opportunity to bring the brightest minds together and the latest thinking to promote excellence in suicide prevention.
The National Suicide Prevention Conference 2023 provided a gateway to unite suicide prevention experts to showcase evidence-based solutions and robust discussion, focused on solutions for saving lives.
Held from Monday 1 May to Thursday 4 May at the National Convention Centre Canberra, the event enabled delegates to hear from leading keynote speakers, participate in workshops and collaborate with their peers.
SabrinasReach4Life received the Suicide Prevention Australia LiFE Award ~ Excellence in Suicide Prevention ~ Communities in Action. SR4L was the only recipient in the NT to receive an award at the SPA conference .
We met and networked with many other national organisations at the conference. Thankyou SPA for an amazing program of speakers and information.....more
Nash Hash Red Dress Run ~ Darwin
On the 11th May SabrinasReach4Life joined the Nash Hash Red Dress Run in the NT, the event was an absolute success with over 400 members around the globe registered. Many thanks to Greg Cheryl Clark, Committee & runners for their outstanding effort of $20,471.02 raised for SR4L ..... more
International Women’s Day ~ SR4L Fundraiser
On the 8th of March The Darwin Sailing Club hosted International Women’s Day. As part of their event DSC chose SabrinasReach4Life as a local charity to raise funds in an auction and raffle in which all proceeds went to SR4L. SabrinasReach4Life raised just under $6000 on the night which will be contributed to the Sabrina Josephine Di Lembo Memorial Scholarship at CDU NT that SR4L solely sponsors. Two local Darwin recipients have already graduated from the scholarship in Psychology, we are now in the proceeds of introducing a third recipient.
The evening was an amazing success, (the downpour did not dampen the evening vibe), we wish to sincerely thank the Darwin Sailing Club and are humbled by the generosity of our donors and the people that attended, the success of this event is attributed to all of you.
From SabrinasReach4Life….” thankyou all for of your support”
You can view SR4L Fundraiser page here
Community Achievement Award NT
On the 10th of December 2022 SabrinasReach4Life attended the Community Achievement Awards. We were finalists in the category of Health and Wellbeing, to get into the finals was amazing!!! We congratulate the worthy winners in each category, well done!!!!!
SabrinasReach4Life wishes to thank the nominator for us to achieve this award.
Mental Health Awards NT
On the 10th of October SabrinasReach4Life was invited to the NT Mental Health Awards at Parliament House. To our surprise we were a nominee in the Innovation for Positive Change Award. Thankyou to Rebecca from No One Left Behind for nominating us.
Mental Health Awards NT
Free Community Information Session
"Coping with Grief on Anniversaries" was held at Harry's Place on the 7th December 2022 in Tiwi. The information session was for anyone that might be experiencing grief on an anniversary or milestone, the was free and presented by Joan Washington who has over 18yrs experience in counselling trauma experiences.
Mental Health First Aid Course
SabrinasReach4Life was pleased to announce a series of Mental Health First Aid courses on offer across the Top End. Pauline Neil who is a Master Instructor in MHFA from MHTraining was the instructor over the two days.
Courses were in Litchfield on Sunday Nov 20th & Sunday Nov 27th.
The courses where received well with the Litchfield & surrounds community. Thankyou Litchfield Council for supporting SR4L & MHTraining in this much needed MHFA course.
Bereaved By Suicide Support Group NT Community Information Session
"How to Deal with Trauma in Everyday Life" was held at Harry's Place on the 6th July 2022 in Tiwi. The information was free and presented by Joan Washington who has over 18yrs experience in counselling trauma experiences.
Session Presentation:
Bereaved By Suicide Support Group NT Community Information Session
"Returning to Work After a Suicide" was held at Harry's Place on the 6th April 2022 in Tiwi. The information was free and presented by Joan Washington who has over 18yrs experience in counselling trauma experiences.
Session Presentation:
SabrinasReach4Life Trivia Fundraiser ~ Beauty & The Beast
On the 30th October 2021 SabrinasReach4Life hosted a fundraiser at WharfOne in Darwin. It was a themed event, fun filled and very successful night from the support of the Darwin community with donations and attendance. We had over 100 people attend and the tickets sold out in the first 2 weeks of circulation. A portion of the money raised from our fundraiser will be used to further the Sabrina Josephine Di Lembo Memorial Scholarship in Clinical Psychology at Charles Darwin University in Darwin with the wonderful added support from CIASS. This is the 2nd Scholarship awarded and the recipient is Jennifer Packer. We also want to create a Memorial / Reflection garden at the Botanic Gardens in Darwin for the people in our community and for those that visit.
You can visit the Beauty & The Beast Page
SabrinasReach4Life thanks you for your amazing support.
SabrinasReach4Life Community Achievement Award Semi Finalist
Lidia Di Lembo on behalf of SabrinasReach4Life receiving from Paul Kirby MLA our Community Achievement Award in reaching the semi finals. The Gala Dinner event was held at the Hilton Esplanade in Darwin on Friday 22nd October 2021.
Congratulations to the worthy nominees for their dedication and commitment in giving back to the community. The final recipients of the Community Achievement Award in each category to the left of picture below.
SabrinasReach4Life wishes to thank the nominator for us to achieve this award.
Bereaved By Suicide Support Group NT Community Information Session
"Supporting Children & Young People Impacted by Suicide" was held at Harry's Place on the 6th October 2021 in Tiwi.
The topics were:
• Discuss the impact of trauma & grief on children & young people
• Protective factors and considerations for support
• Maintain routine / returning to school
The information was free and presented by Joan Washington who has over 18yrs experience in counselling trauma experiences.
World Suicide Prevention Day 21 Breakfast Forum
The official World Suicide Prevention Day "Creating Hope Through Action" was held on the 10th of September 2021. To acknowledge this day SabrinasReach4Life hosted a WSPD Breakfast Forum at CDU with the WSPD21 Planning Committee.
Representation included people with lived experience, the private sector, NGO and government sector.
The Forum was a free event for a third year in a row that SR4L has hosted with the generous sponsorship and support from partners in the suicide prevention space.
Attendees engaged in presentations, panel session, information booths that were on display with a workshop delivered by NEAMI International and Larrakia Nation that have partnered to introduce the new Darwin Head to Health service following the event.
The World Suicide Prevention Day Breakfast was a very successful event which saw over 200 people attend, physically and virtually and participate in a range of presentations, panels and information sessions that focus on supporting and enhancing the role of suicide prevention in the Northern Territory.
Download Outcomes of the WSPD21 Forum Breakfast
Bereaved By Suicide Support Group NT Community Event
On Wednesday 21st July 2021 BBSSGNT hosted a "Gentle Body Practice" session. Gentle Body Practice can be of great benefit and is an opportunity to reconnect with your breath and body, to meet yourself with kindness, and to reset your nervous system. Grief and stress are stored in our bodies. A gentle body practice can help us loosen the emotional and physical tightness in our bodies caused by grief. It is also a way to find peace and stability during a time when this is missing from our lives. The session was facilitated by Laura Milne.
A bit about Laura: Laura is long term Darwin resident, qualified yoga teacher with
a love of gentle body practise and meditation and supporting others to nurture presence
in life to hold all the joys and difficulties.
Bereaved By Suicide Support Group NT Community Information Session
Bereaved By Suicide Support Group hosted a Community information session "Strategies on How to Support People in Crisis" that was held at Harry's Place on Wednesday 5th May 2021 in Tiwi.
The session's aim is to introduce different ways of supporting people who are in a crisis situation utilising sensory modulation.
Host: Joan Washington, Coordinator of Standby Support after Suicide NT, a Suicide Postvention service. Works with suicide affected across the Northern Territory, including remote communities and larger centres. Joan is also the Regional Trauma Trainer for Blueknot in NT. Specialist Trainer/Educator with over 18 years’ experience working with individuals, families and communities affected by migration and other trauma experiences. Experienced case manager of complex clients including torture and trauma survivors and asylum seekers, this has included children, adolescents, and adults individually and as family or otherwise connected groups.
You can download PDF Presentation "Strategies on How to Support People in Crisis".
WSPD Forum 20 "Stronger Together"
On 18th September2020 SabrinasReach4Life co hosted with Charles Darwin University NT a World Suicide Prevention Forum "Stronger Together" . The forum was very successful with 130 participants attending, physically and virtually via ZOOM.
There were four areas of discussion with workshops:
Topic 1: Strengthening Collaboration across the NT
Topic 2: The Role of Community and Lived Experience
Topic 3: Elevating the Role of Young People
Topic 4: Establishing a NT Suicide Prevention Alliance.
The outcomes from the Forum will be collated into a report and presented to the Minister of Health, Honourable Natasha Fyles MLA.
Bereaved By Suicide Support Group NT Community Information Session
"Dealing with Anxiety & Links related to Sleep Issues" was held at Harry's Place on the 6th May 2020 in Tiwi. The information session was free.
Host: Joan Washington, Coordinator of Standby Support after Suicide NT, a Suicide Postvention service. Works with suicide affected across the Northern Territory, including remote communities and larger centres. Joan is also the Regional Trauma Trainer for Blueknot in NT. Specialist Trainer/Educator with over 18 years’ experience working with individuals, families and communities affected by migration and other trauma experiences. Experienced case manager of complex clients including torture and trauma survivors and asylum seekers, this has included children, adolescents and adults individually and as family or otherwise connected groups.
Main Speaker: Natina Demetriou, is a highly experienced Provisional Psychologist and Counsellor working in this role at EASA Darwin Northern Territory. Natina has a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling.Before coming to the NT, Natina was a high school teacher based in Sydney. She arrived in 2006 where she worked as a counsellor in many remote Aboriginal communities, including Katherine. Natina also specialises in trauma work and is highly skilled in working with clients experiencing anxiety and it’s subsequent impact on sleep. She also incorporates yoga and meditation practices.
Co-Facilitator: Coral Osborne, has a Bachelor of Psychology and a Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Loss and Grief); is a Crisis Support Counsellor with Lifeline
Dealing with Anxiety Information Sheet
Bereaved By Suicide Support Group NT Community Information Session
"What is Trauma and It's Impact" was held at Harry's Place on the 4th March 2019 in Tiwi. The information was free and presented by Joan Washington who has over 18yrs experience in counselling trauma experiences.
World Suicide Prevention Day 2019 Breakfast Seminar
Each year, World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is observed on 10th September and provides an opportunity to raise awareness of suicide prevention. The theme this year is "Working Together to Prevent Suicide". To mark this important event, SabrinasReach4Life (SR4L) with the support of NT Health, has led the establishment of the Darwin Regional WSPD Planning Committee. One of the main events being held is a breakfast seminar with the objective of increasing public understanding of current initiatives in suicide prevention, hearing from people with lived experience, first responders and service providers. Key speaker is Ms Bronwen Edwards, CEO Roses in the Ocean, based in Queensland, amongst others.
Suicide is the leading cause of death in Australia among people aged 15–44. A total of 3,128 people took their own lives in 2017(ABS), and over 65000 attempt suicide per annum, which translates to more than 180 every day. For each death, about 135 people are impacted and are themselves eight times at higher risk of suicide, which equates to nearly half a million people each year.
Active collaboration and partnership between government, the private sector, and the community, particularly Territorians with personal experience of mental health concerns, suicidality and suicide bereavement is vitally important if we are to meaningfully bring about change in the Northern Territory.
SabrinasRide4Life
In 2018, Michael and Lidia established SabrinasRide4Life, (currently known as SabrinasReach4Life) which started out as a community campaign aimed to raise awareness of mental illness, promote mental health, and fundraise for suicide prevention following the death of their 19 year old daughter Sabrina Josephine Di Lembo in May 2017, who took her life.
The campaign included significant fundraising activity such as an NT Lottery and bicycle ride from Adelaide to Darwin which raised funds for suicide prevention research and donated $100,000 donated to the Black Dog Institute). The ride comprised of four riders including Michael and Lidia Di Lembo, Peter Naylor (friend) and John Da Costa, a local with cycling experience at local and international level. Support crew included Joe and Louise De Luca ( Lidia's brother and sister in law), John Ciarla (Michael's godson), Eugene Scaturchio who is a long standing italian community leader and friend. Both of Sabrina's older brothers Anthony and Joshua also joined the ride in Adelaide for the first 300 km, as riders aimed to clock up 100km per day for over 1 month. Unfortunately Lidia fell off her bike after riding just over 100 km to Port Augusta and broke her arm. She then walked between 10 to 20 km per day instead of riding, all the way to Darwin. StandBy Support after Suicide NT Coordinator Ms Susan Vaughan also joined the ride in Katherine. The Darwin Cycling Club also joined riders from Howard Springs an rode to the End of Ride event at Mindil Beach Markets thanks to the support of Mindil Beach Sunset Markets association. Darwin Mayor Kon Vatskalis presided over the event.
High Tea Shoe Sale
An fundraising event was held at Barbara James House on the 12th May 2018 to support the Di Lembo Family in raising $100,000 for the Black Dog Institute. Shoes and prizes for raffles were all donated by locals and generous donors. The Adminstrator of the NT, Her Honour Vicki O'Halloran launched the event.
Dinner Under the Stars
Another fundraising event was held at the Club Tropical Resort Darwin on the 27th July 2018. The variety and quantity of donations received was outstanding with generous support from local Darwin businesses and community support. The amount raised was approximately $14,000 which went towards the target amount of $100,000 earmarked to be donated to the Black Dog Institute to support clinical research of mental health awareness and suicide. The early beginning of funds for a Memorial Scholarship was also made possible.