Bowral's Corbett Gardens became a hub of "support, love and compassion" on Saturday.
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Members of the Southern Highlands Suicide Prevention Program hosted a remembrance day for the families of people who lost their lives to suicide.
About 40 people from the Southern Highlands and South Coast attended the event to celebrate their lives and share their stories.
Program secretary Carmel Averillo said highly valued program member, Val Vickerman, cut out 3046 paper hearts by hand prior to the event.
This was to represent everyone who lost their lives to suicide in Australia between 2018 and 2019.
"She wanted each person to be remembered," she said.
"It was a celebration of the people we've lost. They were not numbers, they were humans."
The remembrance day gave families the opportunity to connect and support each other.
"It was beautiful to see them come together under the hearts," she said.
"It shows we're here, we're ready to talk about it and acknowledge there's a problem.
"We stand together. We're building a supportive network in the community, for the community."
Visit the Southern Highlands Suicide Prevention Program on Facebook to learn more.
Do you need someone to talk to? Don't be shy, reach out:
- Community Links - www.communitylinks.org.au
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- SANE helpline - 1800 18 7263
- Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 059 467
- Kids Help Line - 1800 551 800
- eheadspace - 1800 650 890
- Family Relationship Advice Line - 1800 050 321
- Mensline - 1300 78 99 78
- 1800RESPECT - 1800 737 732
- QLife - 1800 184 527
- Beyond Blue's national helplines and websites page - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites
