Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Group

04/02/2026

Rob Gordon is a wealth of knowledge if you can please go even to help another friend with advise 😊👏

Looking after yourself after the fires

Strathbogie Shire Council is hosting two community recovery sessions to support those affected by the recent bushfires. Come along, connect with others, and hear from experts in mental health and trauma recovery.

Longwood Pub – Friday 6 February | 5 pm
Location: Longwood Pub | Nibbles provided

Join Dr Rob Gordon, clinical psychologist and trauma recovery expert, and Alexandra Howard, clinical psychologist and post trauma specialist.

• Dr Rob Gordon has nearly 40 years’ experience supporting individuals and communities after traumatic events. He’ll talk about the emotions you might be experiencing and practical strategies to support your wellbeing.
• Alexandra Howard is Director of Policy & Practice at Phoenix Australia and has extensive experience in post-trauma mental health and community recovery.

This is a relaxed, supportive session — a chance to learn, share, and connect.

Ruffy – Wednesday 11 February | 6 pm
Location: Ruffy Hall - under the trees | Dinner provided

Dr Rob Gordon returns alongside David Younger for a community dinner discussion sharing insights on wellbeing, recovery, and supporting each other after the fires.

• David Younger is a clinical psychologist and national disaster consultant with over 15 years’ experience supporting communities and organisations.

Come along for a meal, conversation, and guidance from experts — and take a moment to connect with your community and support each other through recovery.

21/01/2026

I lost my very very good friend and inspiration for our walk Noelene Ward founder of MRSPRAG MtMacedon’s Su***de Prevention Walk along with husband Marcus after loosing her son
Liam. She died unexpectedly last week. I am internally grateful for all her support and help for getting our group up and running she was a wealth of knowledge and I will miss her badly 💙 💜

03/01/2026

21/12/2025

Came across this big beautiful Blue Tree Wangaratta-Whitfield Road Wangaratta 💙

01/12/2025

Walk for Respect in Alexandra a great turn out and great Speakers 💜
Special mention to CWA Tree Craft 🧶

27/11/2025

See you there xx 😘

"Don't forget ! Alexandra Rotary & the Murrindindi Shire council have teamed up for the Walk for Respect on Friday. Gather from 11 am at Rotary Park and wear purple if you can.
Hope to see you there ! "

16/11/2025

Thank you Warren 🤔

One su***de every three hours.
That’s the latest 2024 data.
And as heartbreaking as it is… I’m not shocked.
I’m despondent, but not shocked.

Because when you spend your time on the road sitting at kitchen tables, in sheds, at community halls and footy clubs, you see the battles the statistics can never fully show.

In 2024, 3,307 Australians died by su***de, and 76.5% were men.
But here’s the part more people need to understand:
Female su***de rates are rising, especially among young women.
This is no longer a “men’s issue.”
This is a whole-community crisis.

And it’s hitting regional, rural and remote Australia the hardest.

We can’t keep waiting for tragedy before we act.
We need to build capacity, not just offer crisis response.

That means:
👉 more counsellors and frontline workers on the ground
👉 culturally informed support for First Nations communities
👉 training for teachers, nurses, coaches and local leaders
👉 long-term funding, not fly-in fly-out bandaid fixes
👉 normalising conversations before people hit breaking point

The battle starts with talking about it.
Normalising it.
Making it safe for people, men AND women, to say “I’m not okay.”

There is nothing weak about asking for help.
There is nothing un-Australian about struggling.
It takes real courage to speak up.

Our communities deserve better.
Our families deserve better.
And those we’ve lost deserve better.

If you’re struggling, I see you.
If you’re carrying someone else’s load, I see you too.

Let’s keep talking.
Let’s keep checking in.
Let’s keep fighting for services that actually meet our communities where they are.

We can do better.
We must do better.
And together, we will.

Read full blog here: https://www.theunbreakablefarmer.com.au/blog/a-whole-community-battle

08/10/2025

Friday 10th October

YDMH are partnering with Yea Rotary to provide a free BBQ and activities from 11-1pm for this year's World Mental Health Day, with the theme of "Appreciate the little things".

We will be set up on the grass median strip across from Mint and Jam/next to Christmas tree.

Mental Health Nurses/support will be available on the day.

See you there!

08/10/2025

Good idea Warren 👍🏻

I’ve learned through my own battles that sometimes the hardest part isn’t dealing with the problem itself it’s the feeling that no one else understands, that you’re on your own.
Checking in with someone, even if they seem to be holding it together on the outside, can be the thing that helps them break through that sense of isolation.

So here’s my challenge to you, who are you going to check in with today?
Who in your life might be carrying more than they’re letting on? Whether it’s a mate from work, a family member, or even someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, reach out.
Start a conversation.

You don’t have to do anything fancy or offer solutions. Just be there. Let them know you’re in their corner. Let them know you care.
Because in the end, it’s these small moments of connection that can make all the difference. Even in the toughest of times, we’re stronger together.
So, who are you going to check in with today?





***deprevention

30/09/2025

Founder GVSAG Jacky on Seymour FM 11:30am tomorrow Wednesday

14/09/2025

Just a few more moments from today’s annual su***de awareness walk.
More will be uploaded to our website soon.
If you have any photos you would like to share please send them to us on messenger.

14/09/2025

The sun shining brightly over our walkers this morning