Lifeline Mid Coast is launching the next cycle of its highly-acclaimed Eclipse program for suicide attempt survivors.

Now in its third year, the program starts on March 19.

Suicide prevention and awareness manager and group facilitator Kelly Saidey says Eclipse is a support group and does not provide any sort of therapy.

She said it has proven successful for the over 40 participants who have completed the program.

"The program works because the participants have a safe place to come and talk honestly and openly about suicide," she said.

"They can relieve a lot of stress through this group.

"Importantly, the participants find that they are not alone.

"It is a way to remove the shame and stigma that is associated with suicide attempt survivors."

She said many people are too afraid to disclose their feelings with family or even their doctor because they think they may lose some control.

"Participants in the program have spoken about the lack of control they feel when they talk about being suicidal," she added.

Ms Saidey said the group learns how to relieve stress and learns their own coping mechanisms.

Other benefits include, helping participants to determine a future course of action for themselves. Some participants are also more likely to understand when they are not feeling well, how to take positive actions and be able to make decisions about their own mental health.

"This can include determining future treatment plans where people can get help and support," she said.

"They know there are numbers to call and they can enable their own action plan when they are feeling bad.

"Eclipse teaches the participant to use these resources when they are in a dark space.

"This program is about building resilience," she added.

Ms Saidey said a number of participants from the Eclipse program have gone on to become involved with Lifeline as telephone crisis supporters.

The prevention and awareness manager said the more people talk about suicide the more understanding will be shared within the broader community.

"All the research shows that by talking about suicide we reduce the shame and stigma and that allows people to talk about and relieve that stress," she added.

A co-facilitator and lived experienced support worker also helps deliver the Eclipse program.

Lifeline Mid Coast CEO Catherine Vaara said it was heart warming and rewarding to see the members of our first Eclipse support group find the solutions they needed to move forward.  

It is a new and effective response in helping people at risk of suicide in the Greater Port Macquarie region, she said.

"By drawing on the lived experiences of others, members resonated and supported each other through the eight week support cycle and the results were outstanding," she said.

Lifeline Mid Coast are now taking applicants for the sixth cycle of Eclipse, commencing in March 19, 2019. 

People interested in joining the group should phone Kelly on 6581 2800 or email suicideprevention@lifelinemidcoast.org.au

For crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp

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