Since 2016, Connection And Wellbeing Australia (CAWA) and Curtin University have been on a powerful journey — building ‘suicide-safer’ campuses through connection, capability and cultural change.

Curtin’s Jack Graham Geraghty (Manager, Wellbeing Services) and Bella Broadway (Managing Director, CAWA) were invited to the recent National Suicide Prevention Conference to their their insights from more than nine years of suicide prevention program implementation — offering a blueprint for what it truly takes to embed sustainable, compassionate and effective suicide prevention across large institutions.

Some key lessons shared include:

• Challenging stigma and suicide myths using evidence-informed approaches
• Empowering campus-wide networks of trained responders
• Embedding lived experience, peer support and ‘postvention’ strategies
• Equipping staff and students to navigate psychosocial risks and support others
• Creating inclusive spaces for learning about suicide with safety and care
• Supporting regional and remote staff
• Framing suicide first aid as valuable workplace learning and micro-credentials

Congratulations and thank you to Jack and Bella for all their important work in this vital space.