Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown)— Every day, nine lives are lost to suicide in Australia. For World Suicide Prevention Day on Friday 9 September, I joined in a walk from Dixon Park to Merewether Baths and back.

More than five hundred people were there, many of whom had had their lives impacted by suicide.

These people braved the elements and walked to raise awareness and support for the cause and support the vital work of Lifeline, and I was pleased to be there alongside my local colleagues Kate Washington MP, Yasmin Catley MP and Tim Crakanthorp MP.

Stigma around has stopped people reaching out for help when they need it, and the message of the march was simple: it's okay to not be okay.

My thanks to the organisers, including Lifeline Hunter CEO Rob Sams, for putting this important event together. I would also like to thank Aunty Cheryl Smith for welcoming us to Awabakal and Worrimi Country on the day. If you need help, reach out. Lifeline is there to listen. Please call if you need their support.

A Community Recognition Notice is an opportunity for an MP to submit a short statement praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Notice, please email and let me know!