Tasmanian LiFE Awards – 2026 Nominee
Communities in Action for Suicide Prevention LiFE Award
The Communities in Action for Suicide Prevention LiFE Award acknowledges the crucial role that communities play in identifying and taking action towards suicide prevention. This award recognises any group or community, whether it’s a sports club, community group, or a hobby group, that works together to prevent suicide. This may involve developing a local plan for mental wellbeing and suicide prevention or organising activities that bring the community together to facilitate social connection and provide opportunities to discuss mental health and suicide prevention.
THEIRS (Talk, Hear & Help, Educate, Inform, Refer, Support)
THEIRS is a youth-led mental health and suicide prevention organisation on Tasmania’s North West Coast. THEIRS began from a deeply personal place. Growing up in a small rural town, founder Laura Johnson struggled with mental health and suicidal thoughts. When her sister was also impacted by poor mental health, Laura was inspired to start THEIRS – events to bring people together, and provide education in holistic, trauma-informed, strengths-based ways. At the time, young people were rarely invited into rooms where decisions about mental health and suicide prevention were made. THEIRS has paved the way for youth voices to be included.
Today, THEIRS events and programs are co-designed with young people, team members, and community members, ensuring lived experience informs every aspect of their work. Specialists, victim-survivors, advocates and health professionals share their knowledge and experience at events. A key part of THEIRS’ approach is bringing local services together at events, which helps prevent organisations from working in silos and encourages resource-sharing and mutual support.
After their statewide schools and community tour with mental health advocate Jazz Thornton, which reached over 80,000 people, demand skyrocketed. What was initially intended for three communities has now expanded far beyond.
Small wins, such as a disengaged student leading a community awareness event, demonstrates tangible impact. THEIRS programs build capacity in parents and community members, equipping them to recognise distress and provide support. By combining peer-led initiatives and community-wide engagement, THEIRS demonstrates how teamwork unites communities to prevent suicide, strengthen resilience, and create lasting positive change.
Proudly sponsored by Lifeline Tasmania
