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Suicide Prevention in Communities Program co-ordinator Merilyn Keene said the concept started in the UK. Police decided to do something about elderly people and loneliness, so it was a police initiative that was adopted enthusiastically by a town and it went from there, she said. We were talking at the beginning of last year about projects and the one they decided on was a chat seat and a men s event. We started with a small group and we used a trial to fine tune what we were going to do and then we had a training session. Buderim s chat seat has taken off with more volunteers needed to lend an ear.
Ms Keene said making a point of reaching out to others can be helpful.
“Simple stuff like reaching out to neighbours, any connection in a small way has a really positive effect on yourself as well as the other person,” she said.
“I know it sounds corny, but a smile to make all the difference. It can save people s lives.
“If you know somebody is bereaved or recently separated or it’s an anniversary of some kind then extend the kindness.
“Have the conversation, we often avoid those conversations because we don t know what to say.
“But we don’t have to be expert it’s just having a good heart and good intentions.”