* Please be aware that this article discusses youth suicide, and some readers may find this distressing.
A local community house has organised a FREE and vital mental health support session ahead of the festive season, scheduled for Tuesday 9 December 2025.
Selby Community House will host the event, Supporting Each Other After Suicide – A community conversation to understand local services and supports, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the community house at 1 Minak Road Selby.
A representative of the house said the event is aimed at supporting local families following several recent youth suicides that have deeply affected the community.
Bringing together three key mental health organisations — Headspace from Knox and Lilydale, the Infant, Child and Youth Mental Health Service (ICYMH) from Eastern Health, and StandBy Support After Suicide, the evening is being hosted to deliver practical help to the community.
StandBy Support After Suicide is an Australian Government initiative, established in 2002 to meet the need for a coordinated community response to suicide and one of Australia’s leading suicide postvention programs dedicated to assisting people and communities bereaved or impacted by suicide.
Headspace and Eastern Health Child & Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS are both arms of free services available for children, adolescents and young people up to 25 years of age, their families and carers.
It is hoped that the event will help parents, carers, and community members understand what support services are available and how to access them.
“It is not a counselling session, but a safe and supportive space to learn, connect, and receive guidance,” said a Selby House representative.
“This session is not suitable for children — it is specifically for adults who want to learn how to support one another and how to best support the young people in their lives.”
The planned event comes as national news breaks about a recent study from the University of Melbourne of more than 14,000 Australians, which has found people aged between 16-25 were more likely than their older counterparts to report suicidal thoughts, self-harm harm and suicide attempts and that those behaviours were emerging earlier in life.
Australians for Mental Health is urging the federal government to appoint a dedicated Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, after the new research revealed younger Australians are more likely to report suicidal thoughts, self-harm harm and suicide attempts than older generations.
“After a decade of noble efforts to reduce the rates of distress among our young people, the problem is getting worse. It is time for a radical overhaul of how we tackle the mental health crisis. That must start with good policy, placed as a top priority at the centre of government,” Australians for Mental Health Executive Director Chris Gambian said.
“If we want to keep our young people well, we must start by listening, and responding, to their needs, whatever those might be,” he said.
At a local level, this year has seen many community groups rally to support and educate, as the shockwaves of several youth deaths impact the Yarra Ranges.
Supporting Each Other After Suicide – A community conversation at Selby House has been arranged to continue to offer vital support.
“We would be grateful for your support in helping share this information with our community, given the urgency and importance of the topic, especially heading into the Christmas period when many services close and vulnerabilities increase,” said a representative from Selby House.
Event details:
Tuesday 9 December
6:30pm–8:30pm
Selby Community House
Gold coin donation appreciated but not required
Bookings are essential – Book online www.selbyhouse.org.au or call 9754 2039
