About us
Life-saving action at the heart of our mission
Grapevine Group is a volunteer run local charity that is committed to saving lives. Founded in 2004, our efforts span across the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions where we aim to raise both funds and awareness for suicide prevention. Grapevine Group depends on the support of the community to provide free suicide prevention training and awareness campaigns.
Our reach
We’re not just a name; we’re a part of your community. We are a proud member of Suicide Prevention Australia and operate within the Mackay Hospital and Health Service geographic boundary. We’re your neighbours, colleagues, and friends in places like Mackay, Sarina, Moranbah, and beyond.
The philosophy
Changing the narrative through positive attention
Due to needed restrictions in the media, too many people will hear of a tragedy along the ‘gossip grapevine’ and not hear of the resources available to them. Grapevine Group intends to change that!
Grapevine promotes the resources that are available by drawing attention to the issue in a very positive light.
Recognition
National acknowledgment for local impact
We’re not in this for the awards, but we’re proud of the recognition we’ve received. From national honours like the Suicide Prevention Australia LiFE Awards to local acknowledgements, the awards honour the dedication of our volunteers, validate the importance of our mission and motivate us to continue.
What we do
Empowering communities, saving lives
- 1
Our website and phone app have a concise list of local suicide prevention resources for the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions for people to be able to find assistance for themselves or for friends and family they are concerned about.
- 2
We distribute this vital list on HELP-A-MATE LOCAL SUICIDE PREVENTION SERVICES CARDS to the Mackay region and at local events.
- 3We present Free SAFETALK SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING for the general public.
- 4We fundraise to train more locals to become LIVINGWORKS TRAINERS with Livingworks safeTALK or ASIST qualifications.
- 5
We promote the need for more PUBLICTY of our local resources and the need for more suicide prevention trainers and training in the region through the media and our Facebook site.
- 6
We distribute the latest Mental Health and Suicide MEDIA GUIDELINES to local media and the mental health services to encourage more publicity about the issue of suicide and mental health and the resources available.
- 7
We run AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS to reduce the stigma of suicide and encourage people to seek help.
- 8
We have partnered with CQUniversity in a $20,000 suicide awareness RESEARCH PROJECT, funding and collecting data within our region.
- 9WE HAVE FUN AND RAISE FUNDS by “Having a ball… and making a difference!”
Vital initiatives
Empowering the community through training
As a volunteer organisation, we are committed to offering free suicide prevention training in our local areas. We’ve trained over 6,000 individuals through programs like safeTALK suicide prevention training and Suicide Mythbusters toolbox talks. With the backing of Run for MI Life, we’ve helped train police officers, high school teachers, frontline youth workers and community members through 2-day LivingWorks ASIST suicide intervention training.
We strongly encourage local businesses, sports clubs, and community groups to take advantage of our training programs. These can equip their staff and members to identify someone at risk, engage in appropriate conversations, and connect them with essential resources.
Help-a-mate initiative
Providing accessible resources
Since 2005, we’ve compiled a comprehensive online list of local suicide prevention resources. Our Help-a-Mate wallet cards, listing local help, are widely distributed at events, within businesses, sports clubs, community organisations, and the health sector. These cards are actively used by key community services such as GPs, ambulances, police, and hospital emergency departments.
All this information is also readily accessible via Grapevine’s free phone app and website.
