052: From Grief to Awareness with Bendigos Citizen Of The Year - Alannah Mcgregor

The Health Project

After suffering the terrible loss of two children, Alannah McGregor has worked tirelessly over the past 19 years to raise awareness of suicide prevention, working towards de-stigmatising mental health and the topic of suicide.

Workplace bullying lead to the deaths of Alannah’s children, and she initially started raising awareness through a short DVD she sent to workplaces to help educate employers and employees.

Alannah then started SPAN Central Victoria in 2011, with the aim of increasing community awareness about the incidence and impact of suicide, and encourage the community to acknowledge and discuss the issue. Her focus is on demystifying what is often a hidden issue in society and share advice on prevention and wellbeing, and to look out for each other.

Each year SPAN Central Victoria holds a Suicide Prevention and Awareness walk and in 2019 received grant funding to hold Safe Talk seminars for workplaces and in the community.

Last year Alannah was also the inaugural recipient of the Fred Hollow’s Foundation Humanitarian of the Year award, which celebrates everyday people who care for others.

Mentions:

City congratulates 2022 Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year | City of Greater Bendigo

https://purefm.com.au/fred-hollows-awards-alannah-mcgregor-named-humanitarian-of-the-year/

City names citizens of the year - Bendigo Times (timesnewsgroup.com.au)

If you would like to learn more about Alannah or get in touch with previous podcasts guests, contact Jed via Instagram The Health Project (@the__healthproject) •

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