Background
The Bendigo Suicide Prevention Awareness Network (SPAN) committee was formed as a community-based organisation in 2011, with the aim of increasing community awareness of the incidence and impact of suicide.
Membership of this unincorporated community committee is around 10 and comprises a number of agencies and individuals who are committed to reducing the incidence of suicide in the community.
The key objective of the committee was to organise a community walk in the central business district of Bendigo with the main purpose of raising awareness of suicide and encouraging the community to acknowledge and discuss the issue.
Since that time, the organisation has evolved to an incorporated body with the name of Suicide Prevention Awareness Network (SPAN) Central Victoria Inc. We have a committee dedicated to the cause of SPAN but are always looking for new members and member organisations to join us in the fight against suicide.
Statement of Purpose
The committee is committed to raising awareness in the community about the incidence and impact of suicide in the Bendigo region.
Our aim is to encourage the community and individuals to talk about suicide and demystify what is often a hidden issue in our society and to raise issues relating to prevention and wellbeing.
Raising community awareness about prevention and the impact of suicide is designed to encourage everyone to look out for each other and to seek support when necessary.