About us: what we do
- Our region
- How we work
- What we're working on
- Reports
The Illawarra Shoalhaven region comprises of four local government areas - Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, and Wollongong - and has a total population of over 420,000 people.
In the Illawarra Shoalhaven region there are
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more than 17,000 people (4.2%) who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
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more than 45,000 people (10.8%) who were born overseas in a predominantly non-English speaking country
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more than 88,000 (20.9%) people who are aged over 65 years and approximately one quarter of those (20,000) live alone.
Suicide rates in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region are higher than national and NSW state averages (age standardised rates per 100,000 population). Based on a five-year average, in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region we lose 55 people to suicide each year.
Further information can be found in COORDINARE's population health profile.
Using an evidence-based approach to suicide prevention, the Collaborative aims to build a culture where, rather than working individually, people and organisations are committed to working collaboratively to create systemic change.
Our values:
Genuine collaboration – anyone is welcome to join the Collaborative, and the growing diversity of our membership echoes the need for a whole-of-community approach to suicide prevention. All contributions are respected and welcomed.
Value lived experience – central to our work is the meaningful inclusion of people with lived experience in all levels of our work. We ensure the insight and experiential wisdom of people with a lived experience of suicide is at the heaty of the development and implementation of collective suicide prevention activities across the region.
Evidence based and evidence generating practice – before undertaking any work, the Collaborative considers the evidence for what’s needed and the evidence for what will successfully address those needs. We consult the suicide prevention literature, as well as the practical wisdom of our local communities and the expertise of people with lived experience of suicide.
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The Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative's Report Cards are a great way to monitor and reflect on the activities that the Collaborative has achieved together.
We are grateful to all who contribute to our work and are proud to capture and celebrate the milestones and achievements since our inception in 2015.
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Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative 2022 Report CardOur most recent Report Card launched at our Connecting Together 2022 event on 31 October. This Report Card covers the period of 2020 - June 2022, a turbulent period of change and complexity. It showcases our achievements and where we are heading. There are a limited number of printed copies which you can request by contacting us. |
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Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative 2019 Report CardThis is the first Report Card for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative. It provides an overview of what we have been working on and what we are looking to achieve in the coming years. |
Get involved:
- What can I do?
- Collaborative member
- Collaborative ally
- Training and support
The vision of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative is to reduce suicides in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region.
We are working toward a community where all people have a life they want to live. Preventing suicide is not the sole responsibility of any one person, group, service, or sector.
Every one of us has a role to play in suicide prevention - and you are in a position to help.
Anyone is welcome to join the Collaborative, and the growing diversity of our membership echoes the need for a whole-of-community approach. All contributions are respected and welcomed.
Collaborative members contribute their time, wisdom, expertise, and resources to the work and are supported by a backbone team for structure and consistency.
The genuine and meaningful inclusion of people with a lived and living experience of suicide underpins all that we do. People with lived and living experience have a practical wisdom about which supports work, and what people really need. There is a genuine appreciation for lived experience participation across all aspects of our work and we are heartened to see Collaborative members from diverse sectors champion this approach.
The Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative welcomes membership from:
- organisations operating from or delivering service to the Illawarra Shoalhaven region (irrespective of where the individual may reside)
- Illawarra Shoalhaven community members
- people with lived and living experience of suicide residing in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region.
There are two types of membership of the Collaborative – member and ally. Click on the below tabs for more information.
Members are individuals or organisations actively involved in the work of the Collaborative either via the executive team, stream, or project work. They agree to conduct themselves according to the Collaborative’s terms of reference and work within the spirit of the Collaborative’s core principles.
Members with lived and living experience of suicide and/or those representing community voice are at the heart of the Collaborative. Individuals with lived and living experience will be represented across all parts of the Collaborative’s work. Lived and living experience and community members may be eligible for paid participation in the work of the Collaborative.
Members representing an organisation or service should, where possible, be able to actively contribute to Collaborative work. They should remain constant as much as possible. The organisational member will have sought permission (where necessary) to work with the Collaborative as part of their role and are sharing back to their organisation or service the work of the Collaborative.
HOW DO I BECOME A COLLABORATIVE MEMBER?
Organisations or individuals wanting to become a member of the Collaborative should email the backbone team at suicideprevention@coordinare.org.au.
New members will be orientated to the Collaborative and attend a whole of collaborative meeting before aligning their interests, perspective, skills, and time to stream and/or project work.
HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
To find out more about becoming a Collaborative member, please email the backbone team at suicideprevention@coordinare.org.au
Allies are individuals or organisations not actively involved in the work of the Collaborative but wish to remain informed of the work and opportunities available via the Collaborative. They agree to work within the spirit of the Collaborative’s core principles.
Allies will be added to an email list to receive information, updates, and event invites.
HOW DO I BECOME A COLLABORATIVE ALLY?
To become a Collaborative ally, please email the backbone team at suicideprevention@coordinare.org.au
Complete Recognise and Respond Suicide Prevention Training: Talking to someone about suicide may feel like one of the hardest things you’ll ever do, but it could also be one of the most important conversations you’ll ever have. COORDINARE in collaboration with Black Dog Institute is offering the Recognise and Respond - Suicide Prevention training free to people living and working in the South Eastern NSW PHN region. Find out more here
Know where to go for support: COORDINARE'S suicide prevention team have worked with local Suicide Prevention Collaboratives and Network to develop a suite of 'Where to go for Support' resources. These resources are available for you to download and use now and into the future. Find out more here.
Find local information and support services for:
- Find support
- Where to go for support - resources
COORDINARE's suicide prevention team has worked with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative to develop a suite of 'Where to go for Support' resources to highlight key suicide prevention, mental health and other supports available in the Illawarra Shoalhaven region.
Page last updated: September 2025.