Programs

The Life Is... Foundation currently has a number of programs, overviewed below, that it is involved in. If further information is required please contact us and we can provide more detail. 
 
DadsLink - run in partnership with Relationships Australia, and the YMCA, DadsLink focuses on father-child relationships, the strengthening and development of which is a recognised protective factor in children's (and fathers) well being. It also focuses upon and enhances social and community connection. DadsLink provides information and support in the form of regular groups and newsletters, as well as organising "hands on" parent-child activities, including family events and father-child camps. 
 
 
World 'Survivors' Day - supported by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention this special event for family and friends bereaved through suicide is organised in Novemeber each year. In 2009 LIF particpated with a group DVD, discussion and lunch. Information regarding this event for 2010 will be posted on this website when it is available. 
 
World Suicide Prevention Day - sponsored by the World Health Organisation on September 10 each year. The Foundation is involved in the development and coordination of an education/awareness raising event for Melbourne. Information regarding this event for 2010 will be posted on this website when it is available. 
 

Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona Tour - Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, is a family physician and psychiatrist, of Native American heritage, who has also studied with indigenous healers for most of his life. As well as his positions with the University of Hawai'i, and the Johnson State College in Vermont, he is also Education Director for the Coyote Institute for Studies of Change and Transformation, also in Vermont, USA. Lewis is the author of Coyote Medicine, Coyote Healing, Coyote Wisdom, Narrative Medicine and the soon to be released (July 2009), Narrative Psychiatry: healing mind and brain in a social world. In his talks/workshops explores how Native Americans view health and disease; who is healer and how is healing supported, combining narrative approaches with ceremony and ritual. 

Lewis will be back in Australia in May 2010 and details of ebvents will be posted on this website as they are confirmed. 

Voices Project - This project is in partnership with stART and the Compassionate Friends. It involves families bereaved through suicide in  working collaboratively with community artists to develop and express, (through different artistic mediums), their own story about their loss. Stories may take on different dimensions and include many different expressions. The aim is to produce an ‘exhibition’ or ‘display’ that may be both healing for participants (and other bereaved) as well as being educative for the public in raising awareness. The project may also capture the stories and works in a booklet and DVD for distribution. 

It is recognised that the experience is both challenging and rewarding. As stated, outcomes are likely to be both highly personal for the families involved as well as offering a significant avenue for raising awareness about suicide, suicide prevention and education in the community.

Outreach Support Program - in partnership with Compassionate Friends, this program involves creating and sustaining a support network for persons  bereaved through suicide who may have difficulty in accessing traditional support services.  This program is currently in development.