September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day – something we must always be aware of in the PTSD community.

The Day is an opportunity to reflect on how we can work towards a shared approach to suicide prevention by building resilience and encouraging social
connectivity.

There are some excellent resources at Living is for Everyone.

Picking Up The Peaces teams are gearing up for two major projects… and we need help!

On 10-10-10 – sounds better than 10 October 2010, doesn’t it? – we’ll be staging the third annual PTSD Awareness Day beside Lake Burley Griffin. There’s an amazing amount of work required to get everything organised before the event, and then to run activities on the day. All sorts of things, from making phone calls to handing out leaflets, to hosting VIPs.

We’re also preparing the PTSD Education Program (PEP), which will be a series of one-hour talks about post traumatic stress disorder, how to recognise it, and where to go for help. A key component will be personal stories from people who live with PTSD – what it’s been like for them and their families to experience the disorder in daily life. For this, we’re looking for people who are willing and comfortable with talking to others about what may be quite uncomfortable memories.

So, if either of those projects is something that interests you, please get in touch – info@pickingupthepeaces.org.au. We’ll be calling for nominations for PEP volunteers soon – we’ll hold special information nights in September to explain what’s involved – but the Awareness Day team is piling up the jobs already.

We’d love to hear from you!

Next Sunday 25 July 10 at noon…

It’s the next get-together of the Canberra PTSD Support Group barbeque, and we’d love to see you there!  Come along for a chat and lunch.

Just because we are in the depth of a Canberra winter, don’t be put off. We have a great little warm weather space to meet even during these cold winter days.

Organised by Picking Up The Peaces and the Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Federation ACT, the support group is for anyone experiencing PTSD, or caring for someone with PTSD.

We continue to have a great turnout for these winter barbeque’s despite the brisk but beautiful Canberra days.  The venue and this event continue to support those who are experiencing PTSD or those who care for members with PTSD.  Several individuals have been saying just how much more empowered they are feeling after discussing common issues, and just how good it is to realise they are not alone, that there are others who understand.

We will meet as usual at the VV&VF premises at 9 Burkitt St, Page, over a barbeque lunch in the Garden of Peace or indoors if it is a little bleak. We will continue to share and get to know one another and our challenges, and discuss how best the support group can continue to serve members’ needs.

Families with children are welcome. There is plenty of room to play, and some equipment.

Date:  Sunday 25 July 10
Time:  11.30 am for a noon barbeque
Venue:  VV&VF Stephen King Memorial Center, 9 Burkitt St, Page
Map:  http://www.whereis.com/?id=22CF14941049EE
Cost:  A BBQ lunch will be available for $10 a head.

Further information: 6255 1599 or info@pickingupthepeaces.org.au

Please invite anyone you think might be interested.

Regards,

Richard

You can read the June 2010 committee meeting minutes by clicking the link. The PDF document will open in a separate window.

We’ve added a 3 minute video on the value of persistance when faced with PTSD.

It was made as part of the Mental Illness Education ACT (MIEACT) project Moving Minds.

To keep everyone in the loop, we’ve decided to post minutes of the Picking Up The Peaces committee meetings once they’ve been accepted by the committee.

Here are the first – May 2010