The Border community has been hailed a hero for its grassroots efforts to tackle the country’s crippling mental health crisis.
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For the past three years the Winter Solstice for Survivors of Suicide and Friends community event has attracted up to 1000 people to shine a light on the darkness of the silent grief of suicide.
Held on the longest night of the year, the event attracts huge support from the community as well as internationally renowned speakers in the field of mental health.
World leader in youth mental health Professor McGorry has been a staunch supporter of the Border’s efforts to start a public dialogue on suicide and mental health, its headspace campaign and many community events to raise awareness and funds for mental health.
Professor McGorry has hailed the region as “one of the leading communities in Australia with regards understanding and reducing the stigma around mental ill health” and is hoping to use it as an example for other communities to follow suit.
![Flame of hope: Close to 1000 people gathered for this year's Winter Solstice for Survivors of Suicide community event at Albury's QEII Square to shine a light on the darkness of suicide. Flame of hope: Close to 1000 people gathered for this year's Winter Solstice for Survivors of Suicide community event at Albury's QEII Square to shine a light on the darkness of suicide.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/PDupDCSG52UXrq68xwPPyU/d1f1a4a9-b34d-4992-b15f-bb8d8dac6706.jpg/r219_81_4055_3422_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
![EXPERT SUPPORT: Professor Patrick McGorry has been a staunch supporter of the Border community's efforts to de-stigmatise suicide and mental health problems. EXPERT SUPPORT: Professor Patrick McGorry has been a staunch supporter of the Border community's efforts to de-stigmatise suicide and mental health problems.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/PDupDCSG52UXrq68xwPPyU/59828e05-02d0-44b0-8e2a-fcaf1447b9b6.jpg/r182_59_2640_1901_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)