Coorong Conversations Matter
The Districts Suicide Prevention Network (SPN) - Coorong Conversations Matter is a voluntary community group working to improve mental health and wellbeing along with reduce the stigma associated with suicide and to increase community knowledge about where to access help when in need.
This includes support services for people bereaved by suicide; the group aims to reduce the impact ofβ―suicide by educating the community and empowering others to seek help and give hope.
Vision Statement
Life Matters in the Coorong District Council
Mission Statement
To create conversations in our community to connect, prevent and respond to suicide ***
To create opportunities for our community; to prevent suicide, connect, care for each other and promote wellbeing.
The life-saving power of community conversations is helping tackle the serious issues of suicide and mental health across the Coorong District Council area.
After the heartbreaking loss of a number of locals to suicide in recent years, the Coorong District Council and passionate local residents have been working proactively to improve the mental wellbeing of people across the district and build more resilient communities.
Coorong Conversations Matter Meetings
Everyone is welcome to attend a Coorong Conversations Matter Meeting, the committee meet monthly at the following time.
Date: Every 2nd Wednesday of the Month
Time: 5pm
Location: Meningie Uniting Church
(2 Princes Hwy, Meningie SA 5264).
Online meeting facilities will be available soon
For more information please Contact:
Chairperson:
Pauline Linke: 0409 617 501
Email: plinke@y7mail.com
**Please note this is not a crisis or emergency suicide service.
If you or someone you know requires urgent care please call 000 and ask for an Ambulance.
They run projects designed to raise awareness and build hope such as:
The Sunflower Project
The Blue Tree Project
Annual Long Table Dinner
community.
And here’s the most important part: anyone can make a difference. By just saying ‘hello’ or asking ‘are you okay?’ you can change a life.
Wednesday, 13th August 2025
7pm
Meningie Uniting Church Hall
Supper provided
Guest Speaker: Cathy Smith from Skylight Mental Health, sharing insights from the Flood and Drought Response Program
Coorong Conversations Matter Projects & Activities
- The Blue Tree Project The Blue Tree Project
- Sunflower Project Sunflower Project
- Standard and Youth Mental Health First Aid Courses Standard and Youth Mental Health First Aid Courses
The Blue Tree Project
Building mentally fit communities
The Blue Tree Project is a mental health charity that flourished from a grass-roots movement in regional Western Australia. Their mission is to help spark difficult conversations and break down the stigma of mental health, by giving dead trees “a blue lease on life”. To date, over 1,000+ trees have been painted blue across Australia and other parts of the world, becoming conversation starters and symbols of hope for many. The visual reminders (blue trees) help individuals check in with their loved ones and mates going through a hard time, as well as using it to reflect on self-health.
Help raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental health
Coorong District Council, in conjunction with Coorong Conversations Matter have created powder coated trees that can be displayed on your front gates, fences, in your gardens, in your business and on your front counters or desk. Funds raised will be split between Coorong Conversation Matter and the Blue tree project to assist with the delivery of programs, events and activities that address mental health and suicide prevention.
Find out more about the Blue Tree Project here: www.bluetreeproject.com.au
To purchase your own Blue Tree, please contact Council on 1300 785 277 or download an order form and return to one of Council’s Offices
Pictured above: desktop Blue Tree and larger outdoor Blue Tree
Coorong Conversations Matter is a voluntary community group working to improve mental health and wellbeing, reduce the stigma associated with suicide and to increase community knowledge about where to access help its needed.
Sunflowers bring smiles to people's faces, follow the sunshhine and have great health benefits which are just a few of the reasons Coorong Conversations Matter begun the Sunflower Project 4 years ago.
The Sunflower Project encourages members of the community to plant their sunflower seeds in October, which is Mental Health Month, so that their sunflowers will bloom over the Summer holiday period. Each year the Sunflower project brings members of the community together, encourages people to connect, prevent and respond to suicide.
Building compassionate, safe and resilient communities through increasing skills, education and training will be the key focus of Coorong District Council’s suicide prevention network as they continue to build mentally fit communities in 2025.
Having been successful in receiving $6,000 in funding in the 2024-25 State Government’s Suicide Prevention Community Grants program, Coorong Conversations Matter will focus on mental health and wellbeing, suicide prevention and community resilience.
The funding received will be used to build mentally healthy communities by delivering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. Resulting in people who are trained to recognise the signs of distress, offer support to those in need and have a collective impact on the wellbeing of entire communities.
Mental health has been identified as an important and prevalent issue in Australian communities, with one in five Australians experiencing a mental illness each year.
Standard Mental Health First Aid training will be delivered in both Meningie and Coonalpyn in March followed by Youth Mental Health First Aid training that will be delivered in May. Youth Mental Health First Aid training is specifically for parents, carers or anyone that engages with youth aged between 12- 18 years
MHFA training helps whole communities to:
- Recognise the warning signs of mental health problems and intervene early;
- Learn the skills needed to speak openly and accurately about mental health;
- Respond in crisis situations where a person may be at risk of harm; and
- Reduce stigma and increase support for people with mental health problems.
- The courses are two-day comprehensive education sessions and are delivered by an Accredited Mental Health First Aid Instructor and supported by the Coorong District Council
Find out more about the courses and when they are being run here
**Please note this is not a crisis or emergency suicide service. if you or someone you know requires urgent care please call 000 and ask for an Ambulance.
Others who could provide support or assistance include:
