Northern Rivers Suicide Prevention and Awareness Group will be aided in its mission to reduce suicide in the region thanks to its success in Greater Bank’s #GreaterNorthernRivers Community Funding Program.
Northern Rivers Suicide Prevention and Awareness Group has received $2,000 after topping the vote count in the August round, with $500 also going to both Our Two Hands and Ballina Hot Meal Centre as monthly runners-up.
Established in 2017, Northern Rivers Suicide and Prevention Awareness Group raise and distribute funds to local organisations who focus on mental health and suicide prevention.
These funds will make a huge difference to their organisation of five members, as well as the tight-knit community.
“Sadly, our region’s mental health has deteriorated since last year’s flood. We are receiving more requests for funding assistance from communities whose existing resources can’t stretch to meet the need,” said Jenny Dowell, Northern Rivers Suicide Prevention and Awareness Group Secretary.
“We would love our organisation to be able to help all the worthwhile programs and projects to be the go-to organisation to assist quickly and as needed, but most of all, we look forward to a time when our communities are robust, optimistic about the future and able to support each other with the right skills to do so.
“The money we raise goes to initiatives such as training programs to provide mental health first-aid, education on how to talk to suicide-affected people, equipment for projects that bring communities together in and after traumatic times, and the extra things that an organisation’s recurrent funding around mental wellbeing cannot provide.”
The monthly nominees for the September round of the program are Beating Hearts of Lismore, Friends of the Koala and Lismore Craft and Quilters.
Voting in the September round is now open online and closes on 5:00pm Wednesday 27 September. To support your local community, be sure to cast your vote at greater.com.au/greaternorthernrivers. Community groups can also register to be part of the program at greater.com.au/greaternorthernrivers