Those frighting statistics are all too real for Dubbo Salvation Army commanding officer Chris Radburn.

He saw a constant stream of suicide-related cases during his years as a nurse at a major Sydney teaching hospital.

Now his days are spent assisting Dubbo district people in distress, including an ever-increasing number of families left bewildered and devastated by suicide.

Captain Radburn is urging local people to get involved in Hope for Life, a new suicide bereavement and prevention program launched by the Salvation Army.

The initiative aims to show that suicide prevention is everybody’s business.

It offers face-to-face education opportunities and an on-line training program on how to spot someone who may be considering suicide.

Captain Radburn knows only too well the grief and guilt people feel when friends and family members take their own life.

“A close nursing colleague spent three weeks planning his suicide. He got all his paper work in order, wrote a letter, mowed the lawn and telephoned friends to say goodbye before gassing himself in his car.

“When he phoned me I was very tired after working a gruelling night shift and just didn’t pick up on the signals. We chatted for a while before I said I was heading to bed to get some sleep.

“When I woke he was dead. It was a dreadful shock.’’

Captain Radburn said death by suicide had a huge impact on society and people who didn’t understand the indicators felt almost culpable.

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, for each completed suicide eight to 10 people will be left to deal with intense grief; 13 to 30 will experience moderate grief and distress; more than 50 will have a strong, emotional reaction.

“There is little support for those bereaved by suicide,’’ Captain Radburn said.

“They are the ones left with stigma, anger, denial and questions without answers.

“Anyone bereaved by suicide can ring the Hope Line 24 hours a day on 1300 467 354 or visit www.suicideprevention.salvos.org.au.

“People interested in participating in suicide prevention and bereavement training can obtain further information by telephoning 6884 2221.’’

heather.crosby@ruralpress.com