Published: 4th September 2024
World Suicide Prevention Day will be recognised around the globe by more than 60 countries on Tuesday, 10 September 2024. The theme – We all have a role to play – champions hope and encourages people to collectively take meaningful action to save lives.
Murdoch University's commitment
At Murdoch University, we are proud to support our students through Murdoch Life Assist (MLA) network. Formally established in February 2023, MLA is a student-led suicide prevention network supported by Access, Wellbeing & Equity (AW&E) Team and Wesley Lifeforce. It’s the first of its kind and, at the time of this article, Murdoch University is the only Australian university with such a network in place.
Over the past 18 months, MLA has grown significantly, bringing together students from diverse disciplines who are passionate about suicide prevention, mental health, and mental health promotion.
Murdoch Life Assist’s vision is ’Suicide prevention through connection’.
The network recognises the importance of coming together as a university community.
By raising awareness through conversations, hosting initiatives and activities, and creating a presence on campus, Murdoch Life Assist is reducing isolation and creating a safe space for students to speak about their mental health challenges in a culturally sensitive and informed manner, while also providing increased access to support services and vital information about help-seeking.
Get involved
- Out of the Shadows Walk: Join staff from the Harry Butler Institute and Access, Wellbeing and Equity and fellow students for a 4 kilometre walk around campus followed by coffee and a chat.
- Develop skills in suicide prevention by joining to volunteer with Murdoch Life Assist or completing an approved program for MSP201: Real World Learning.
- Pressed flower cards workshop: Join us at the Den on World Suicide Prevention Day for a guided session on creating pressed flower cards. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a meaningful card for a friend, family member, or colleague.
- Tuesday, 10 September from 11am to 12:30pm
- At The Den
- Tickets are limited and registration is required
- R U OK? Day Morning Tea: Join us at the Den on R U OK? Day for free food, tea, merch, engaging activities, and cuddles with our counselling dogs.
- Thursday, 12 September from 10am to 12pm
- At The Den
- Engage in Conversations: Participate in discussions about mental health and suicide prevention. Sharing information and resources can make a significant impact.
Mental health support services
To look after your own mental health, it is important to know what resources are available to you. Murdoch offers students:
- Murdoch University Counselling Service: Free, short-term counselling for enrolled Murdoch students.
- Murdoch University Medical Service: A multidisciplinary team that helps support health and wellbeing through nurse and GP consultations, including prescriptions, immunisations, sexual health screening, healthy lifestyle consults, and mental health care plans and referrals.
- The Den and International Café: Drop-in Monday to Friday from 10am-2pm for social connection, free wellbeing activities, or just come to talk to our friendly staff about where to get support on campus.
- Guild Student Assist: Providing financial and rent assistance, accommodation support and a Food Bank.
There are external providers who can help support you, including:?
