Stay ChatTY for the fourth year running, proudly sponsored the Outstanding Contribution to Suicide Prevention by a Young Person award.
We were pleased to announce that the winner this year was Matt Etherington.
Since 2016, Matt has coached The Big Issue’s Community Soccer Program, an all-abilities social inclusion initiative using the power of sport to change lives. Players present with many risk factors for suicide and many have given up on traditional services.
Matt has supported players showing immediate and serious risk factors for suicide through companionship, referral and ongoing conversational support.
Matt also started a Mental Health First Aid training initiative at the University of Tasmania, in order to promote peer support and self-care. Since 2017, it has reached more than 600 students all around the state.
Both of these initiatives are highly effective at suicide prevention, building community resilience, establishing early intervention pathways, crisis preparedness, and postvention support.
Congratulations Matt, and congratulations to all the other award winners. 💙
