About us
Compassion, Connect, Kindness
Who we are
The Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network (SSPAN) is a network of representatives from the community, government and non-government organisations. We work closely with the Shoalhaven community to raise awareness of suicide; promote recovery from mental illness; and build individual and community resilience; with the aim of reducing the impact of suicide in the Shoalhaven.
What we do
SSPAN’s success in being able to support such a diverse range of suicide prevention activities is effective because of the network’s ability to develop strategies in line with the needs of the community and the aims of government and non-government services.
These strategies are only possible through SSPAN’s close working relationship with the community, service agencies and local businesses that provide both financial and ‘in-kind’ support. Without such support many of these programs would not be feasible.
We meet the first Thursday of every month at the Shoalhaven Veteran and Family Hub.
How you can help
Help us grow a community grounded in kindness, compassion and connection. There are many meaningful ways to get involved:
Join
Join us at our monthly meetings, first Thursday morning of every month at the Shoalhaven Veterans and Family Hub. Make some new friends and learn about how you can make a difference in suicide prevention
Donate
We receive no government funding, so a donation no matter how small is very welcome. You can do that by clicking on the Donate to SSPAN button at the top of the page or on FaceBook page through Everyday Hero
Give the Gift of Your Time
Maybe you can help us out in one of our events: the annual memorial event, the Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention and Awareness Trivia Night, or handing out SSPAN information at community events… Perhaps you can give some in-kind support like a few hours of graphic design work…
Spread the Word
Hold a coffee morning, a mufti day, or a golf competition where some of the proceeds go to Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network. And remember: it’s about awareness as well as fundraising
Perform a Random Act of Kindness
There are so many ways you can make a difference to someone: share a smile, check in on a friend, treat someone to a cuppa, ask the person who’s serving you how their day is going. Or download and print off one of our Connecting Cards to drop in a neighbour’s letter box.
Build Confidence Through Training
Our achievements – 2025
Deliver Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to our community
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) remains the cornerstone program for SSPAN, with more people and organisations trained this year. We welcomed a new trainer who has been wonderful edition to the education arm of SSPAN.
“Great having two facilitators, very different styles, real-world application.”
Provided a Safe Journey Home
SSPAN supports safe discharge by offering transport subsidies for people leaving acute or inpatient mental health care in the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region. This program operates on a case-by-case basis and provides vital support for vulnerable individuals.
The Forge Project
In partnership Shoalhaven Veteran Hub and Tharwa Valley Forge, SSPAN was able to support two forge projects for local veterans and first responders.
Participants learned the ancient art of blacksmithing, creating beautiful pieces by hand while building resilience, focus, and a strong sense of camaraderie. More than just working with metal, these sessions offered time to slow down, share stories, and support each other in a safe and welcoming space.
Peter Ward Memorial Charity Golf Day
Organised by the wonderful Craig and Rhiannon Murphy from Murphy Family Funerals, this annual event raises much-needed funds for SSPAN. People from all walks of life attended to hear SSPAN Committee member Shelly Kellett and special guest Kerry O’Brien speak. This event is a major contributor to SSPAN raising over $25,0000 for SSPAN to continue supporting our community.
Blue Cards – It’s OK to ask for help…
Our Blue Card aims to assist and encourage young people to seek help at times of need. It remains one of our most recognisable tools for supporting help-seeking behaviour. It continues to be popular, with 10,800 distributed over the past financial year
Support the Yuin Nation team in the PCYC Nations of Origin competition
Suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people, especially among Indigenous youth. Connection and community are protective factors, and we are proud to partner with Shoalhaven PCYC to support this great initiative.
St Georges Basin Man Walk
SSPAN are proud to be able to support the St Georges Basin Man Walk which continues to grow in the number of local men meeting, walking and talking.
Finding Your Ground: Yoga for Stress Management and Wellbeing
SSPAN are proud to be able to support the Finding Your Ground program which consisted of 8 weeks of trauma-informed yoga sessions targeted at improving the mental health and wellbeing of women in the Shoalhaven community. The program is being extended to men via the MEN tally Fit program.
The Glenn McPherson Memorial Golf Day
The 28th annual “GLEN MCPHERSON MEMORIAL GOLF DAY” was held on Friday 28th March 2025. A Four Man Ambrose consisting of 142 players got underway at the Nowra Golf Club at 8.00am with a Shotgun start. An incredible $5,000 donation was made on the day to the SSPAN.
Make a difference
Build confidence through training. Learn how to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
