Port Stephens Suicide Prevention Network

24/12/2025

Good morning and merry Christmas from all of us at PSSPN.
We wish you all a safe and happy day, however that looks for you.
Remember the important things today, friends, family or simply your own wellbeing.
If you are not feeling particularly ‘festive’ (and that’s ok), and you need some help, reach out to someone, don’t hesitate.

Lifeline 131114 or text 0477 131 114

Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians with 24 hour crisis support and su***de prevention services.

03/11/2025

November date. Why not give it a go, who knows, you might find some new friends, a kindred spirit or some inner peace.

Register now for our Port Stephens Community Catch Up on this Friday

09/09/2025

Join us on this Saturday 13th September for our annual remembrance walk from 9am at Illuka Reserve Boat Harbour with our guest speaker Ben Besant - https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17DU6tnJoH/

06/09/2025

4 places left - get in quick to join us for this critical training in our community...

🚨 FREE Mental Health First Aid Training – Book Now! 🚨

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mental-health-first-aid-2-day-course-nelson-bay-nsw-tickets-1588399348209?aff=oddtdtcreator

📅 Thursday 11 & Friday 12 September 2025
🕘 9:00 am – 3:30 pm each day
📍 Nelson Bay Bowling Club
💰 $50 to secure your spot - (refundable upon completion of the training or can be donated to Port Stephens Su***de Prevention Network)

Join us for a 2-Day Mental Health First Aid Course proudly sponsored by Port Stephens Council and the Port Stephens Su***de Prevention Network, delivered by Wesley Mission.

This training will provide our frontline communities members the tools to offer immediate, concrete support to lessen factors that contribute to poor mental health.

This practical course will give you the knowledge and skills to support someone experiencing:
✔️ Depression
✔️ Anxiety
✔️ Psychosis
✔️ Substance misuse
✔️ Suicidal thoughts & behaviours

You’ll also learn how to respond to mental health crises including:
⚡ Panic attacks
⚡ Severe psychotic states
⚡ Traumatic events
⚡ Aggressive behaviours
⚡ Acute effects of alcohol or drugs

✅ Gain confidence to help someone in need
✅ Learn how and where to get professional help
✅ Be part of a stronger, safer community

📲 Spots are limited – scan the QR code on the flyer to register now!

Together, we can make a difference. 💛

01/09/2025

Ben Besant - Guest Speaker at Remembrance Walk 13 September Iluka Reserve Boat Harbour - 9:00am.

Ben Besant who served with the New South Wales Police Tactical Operations Unit and a member of the team that dealt with the Lindt Cafe Siege, will be the guest speaker at the Port Stephens Su***de Prevention Remembrance Walk at Iluka Reserve Boat Harbour on Saturday 13 September at 9:00am. Ben's story of the mental health challenges associated with his job and his efforts to overcome them is an inspiring one for all of us who struggle at times with our mental wellbeing. Come along and join in on the Remembrance Walk and have a chat to Ben.

20/08/2025

🚨 FREE Mental Health First Aid Training – Book Now! 🚨

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/mental-health-first-aid-2-day-course-nelson-bay-nsw-tickets-1588399348209?aff=oddtdtcreator

📅 Thursday 11 & Friday 12 September 2025
🕘 9:00 am – 3:30 pm each day
📍 Nelson Bay Bowling Club
💰 $50 to secure your spot - (refundable upon completion of the training or can be donated to Port Stephens Su***de Prevention Network)

Join us for a 2-Day Mental Health First Aid Course proudly sponsored by Port Stephens Council and the Port Stephens Su***de Prevention Network, delivered by Wesley Mission.

This training will provide our frontline communities members the tools to offer immediate, concrete support to lessen factors that contribute to poor mental health.

This practical course will give you the knowledge and skills to support someone experiencing:
✔️ Depression
✔️ Anxiety
✔️ Psychosis
✔️ Substance misuse
✔️ Suicidal thoughts & behaviours

You’ll also learn how to respond to mental health crises including:
⚡ Panic attacks
⚡ Severe psychotic states
⚡ Traumatic events
⚡ Aggressive behaviours
⚡ Acute effects of alcohol or drugs

✅ Gain confidence to help someone in need
✅ Learn how and where to get professional help
✅ Be part of a stronger, safer community

📲 Spots are limited – scan the QR code on the flyer to register now!

Together, we can make a difference. 💛

18/08/2025

Su***de Prevention Training - Muree Golf Club 10th September 2025 from 9:00am to 2:00pm

PSSPN will be working with Wesley LifeForce to present their outstanding su***de prevention training program at Muree Golf Club from 9:00am to 2:00pm. The program is based on many years of experience and the latest research.

Use this link to book your place:

Su***de prevention training

09/08/2025

Port Stephens and one one of our founding members has been recognized in parliament for his extraordinary contribution to our community. Thanks for all you do Dave.

24/07/2025

Who doesn’t love a free sausage sanga!

21/07/2025

The Port Stephens Su***de Prevention Network is proud to be funding this training and partner with Pirate Coffee and Wesley Mission Lifeforce to bring Accidental Counsellor training to our community. Your donations and commitment to mental health in the peninsula have allowed us to give back to the community for this critical training.

🚨 FREE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING🚨

Ever found yourself in a conversation where someone opened up... and you weren’t sure what to say?

You’re not alone — and there is help.

💬 Join us for Accidental Counsellor Training

A half-day practical workshop that teaches you how to recognise when someone’s struggling, respond in the moment, look after yourself, whilst referring them to the right kind of support — without needing to be a counsellor yourself!

🧠 Designed for everyday people — baristas, tradies, coaches, hairdressers, volunteers, small biz owners, anyone in community or customer-facing roles.

🗓 Monday 4 August | 🕘 9:00AM–12:30PM
📍 Pirate Coffee HQ, 11/9 George Road, Salamander Bay
💸 FREE (with light lunch + Pirate Coffee on us!)
📲 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/accidental-counsellor-training-salamander-bay-nsw-tickets-1482223974809?aff=oddtdtcreator

🧑‍🏫 Hosted by Pirate Coffee in partnership with Port Stephens Su***de Prevention Network. Delivered by Wesley Mission - Lifeforce supported by the Federal Government, as part of the National Su***de Prevention Support and Leadership Program, under the Commonwealth Department of Health.

📚 Includes 90 mins of online learning ahead of the in-person session

💛 Let’s make our community a kinder, safer place — one conversation at a time. Tag someone who should come!

***dePrevention

17/07/2025

The team at PSSPN is extremely grateful to the Anna Bay Tavern Fishing Club for a generous donation to support our su***de awareness and prevention training program. It would be impossible to provide high-quality programs to members of our community each year, at no personal cost to participants, without the support of donations such as this. Thank you to the members and the executive of the fishing club. Your kindess is very much appreciated.

15/07/2025

Free Training! Su***de Prevention Workshop Lemon Tree Passage 5th August 2025.
Participants will have increased confidence in their ability to identify people who may be at risk of su***de, communicate appropriately with a suicidal person, ask a person if they are considering su***de and conduct a su***de intervention.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wesley-lifeforce-su***de-prevention-training-lemon-tree-passage-nsw-tickets-1482204135469?aff=oddtdtcreator
Feel free to share far and wide so we can reach as many people as we can.

Su***de prevention training