Sydney Harbour sunflower ceremony to remember lives lost to suicide
MEDIA CALL – 12pm, Friday 9 September 2022, Sydney Opera House
-
12 noon to interview lived experience speakers before the service
- 1-2pm Suicide memorial service with sunflower ceremony
- Sydney Opera House, Yallamundi Rooms, enter via Northern Broadwalk
People who have been impacted by the death of a loved one or friend through suicide will be given the opportunity to come together to remember at a memorial service in Sydney ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day.
The Wesley LifeForce Suicide Memorial Service will be held at Sydney Opera House, Yallamundi Rooms, and concludes with a sunflower ceremony with people invited to honour their loved one by placing a sunflower into Sydney Harbour.
The service brings the community together in a spirit of comfort, support and hope. People with lived experience will share their stories, and all guests given the opportunity add messages to a memorial wall. Counsellors from Lifeline Sydney and Sutherland will be present to offer support.
Wesley Mission CEO, Rev Stu Cameron, will deliver a message of hope, recognising that the pain of suicide loss is not eased quickly and the journey to healing complex.
More people are lost to suicide than die on the roads each year. It affects all ages, genders and ethnicities. Beyond the tragic loss of the person, the impact of suicide deaths is felt by up to 135 people, including family members, work colleagues, friends and first responders. Bereavement by suicide can impact physical and mental health.
Sunflowers have long been considered a symbol of hope, strength and resilience as the vibrant yellow flower, supported by a strong stem, turns its face towards the sun.
