Victorian town fights high suicide rates with mental health first aid training

In the far southwest of Victoria, Australia, the town of Portland is taking proactive steps to address its alarmingly high suicide rates by equipping its residents with mental health first aid skills. The Glenelg Shire, where Portland is located, recorded a suicide rate 45 percent higher than the state average between 2020 and 2024, prompting a community-driven initiative.

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I had the false belief at that stage that if I talked to him about suicide, I'd encourage him to do it.

Peter Taylor, a Portland resident whose nephew died by suicide three years ago, is at the forefront of this effort. Initially uncomfortable discussing mental health, Taylor attended a suicide prevention workshop and found it life-changing. He now advocates for open conversations, believing that asking directly about suicidal thoughts could save lives.

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I would've actually asked him, 'Are you contemplating suicide?'

Taylor, now chair of the Portland Rotary Club's Mental Health Committee, was motivated by the lack of mental health services in his area at the time of his nephew's death. He sought to create a better way forward, ensuring others wouldn't face similar isolation. His efforts led to the organization of the first suicide prevention workshops in Portland and Heywood in August 2024, which were quickly booked out.

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Now, I would have the confidence to say, 'Hang on a minute mate, you haven't answered my question: Are you contemplating suicide?'

Supported by Portland District Health and Portland Rotary Club, the initiative has raised $32,000 through grants and donations to expand its reach. Despite the broad applicability of the training, the only government funding secured was from the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Since 2024, 170 people have been trained. The ambitious goal is to train approximately 1,500 locals in suicide prevention first aid by 2029, aiming to equip a significant portion of the Glenelg Shire's population with the skills to support mental well-being and prevent suicides.

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Once we had the funeral, and life started going back to some sort of normality, I started thinking there's got to be a better way.