More than 70 people from throughout the district assembled in the Parkes Showground pavilion to find out what they can do to help reduce the number of suicide fatalities in the Lachlan Police Local Area Command.
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Three outstanding speakers shared stories about their own personal journey through the depths of depression, how close they came to being part of the statistics and how they came through the other side - all the stronger for the experience.
Retired NRL player Dan Hunt and Bill Morakis reminded those present how important it was to have a network of trusted family and friends to talk to as well as mental health clinicians to help them through their journey.
Dan Hunt played for the Illawarra/St George Dragons while Bill Morakis is a Beyondblue Ambassador.
Diane Gillett spoke of losing her husband to suicide and the impact it had not only on their immediate family but also their friends.
Deputy Mayor Cr Barbara Newton (Parkes Shire Council) was joined by councillors John Medcalf (Mayor, Lachlan Shire) and Cr Phyllis Miller (Mayor, Forbes Shire) in advocating for good mental health and the need to work together for a stronger community.
They all offered support from their relevant shires for the development and running of a Suicide Awareness Group for the Lachlan Area Command.
The evening brought together more than 16 organisations who are all working towards an outcome of better mental health for all.