On 31 July, Julian Leeser MP, federal Member for Berowra, hosted a Lifeline training session for community leaders from across his electorate in Northern Sydney.  More than 170 people participated, representing around 100 local community organisations. Participants included representatives from local sports clubs, churches, Parents and Citizens groups, Rotary, Lions, Toastmasters, the Scouts and other civic groups in the area.  The session was held at the Hornsby RSL. 

“Since I was elected in 2016, I have placed suicide prevention at the front and centre of what I hope to achieve as a Parliamentarian,” said Mr Leeser, who lost his own father to suicide. 

“In the past decade, 109 people in Berowra have died by suicide. Building close-knit, resilient local communities is a critical response to this crisis. “

“My goal is to make Berowra a ‘suicide-safe’ community. My first step is to partner with local community groups and to build up the skills of recognising when people are in crisis and how we, as individuals, can help them.”

Mr Leeser directly challenged participants to undertake Lifeline’s Accidental Councillor Program within their organisations. More than 15 organisations took a pledge to do so on the night, with many more expressing an interest