Tricia recognised for providing over one hundred suicide prevention workshops

Tricia Maling, Program Manager for our Top End Suicide Intervention and Awareness Training program (TESIAT), was recently acknowledged by LivingWorks for her incredible commitment and contribution to suicide prevention.

The Gold Award recognises Tricia’s delivery of 100 safeTALK three-hour workshops, equipping people to be more alert to someone thinking of suicide and better able to connect them with further help. However, the award is dated 2023 and Tricia has now delivered around 200 safeTALKs and over 100 ASIST two-day workshops!

Tricia started delivering suicide prevention workshops in 2014 and commenced coordinating the TESIAT program in 2017.

Tricia recently took the time to reflect on her work and what it means to her:

“I love what I do. I love my work even though it is sometimes difficult working in the mental health and suicide awareness and intervention space. However, I know that making a difference in people’s lives is why I am here, what drives me and what helps me to be better.  I get to travel to remote areas of the Top End and meet people living on communities. I see them doing great work with limited resources and opportunities – it’s so admirable and courageous.

Some people say my job must be hard, but I don’t see it through that lens. I have the privilege of sitting and listening to other people’s stories, some of whom are at times struggling and I help where I can. I don’t judge others in their situation; I see their need for supports to be wrapped around them. We are all part of this community, and I believe it is only human nature to help where we can.

Self-care is an important part of my daily agenda. Being centred, being self-aware and understanding my capacity is at the core of my everyday activities.

Since I was very young, I came to the realisation that we are all born to help one another, in whatever capacity or way we can. This quote from actor Viola Davis resonates with me and how I feel about life: ‘there are two important moments in our lives, the day we are born and the day we realise why we were born.’

I was blessed to grow up with a strong, safe and loving family and large extended family. I recognise that many people aren’t as fortunate in this way, and this is probably one of the reasons I am in this space at Anglicare NT. I have a strong drive for social justice – my first career was with the SA Police where I worked for 19 years.”

Congratulations Tricia, and thank you for everything you do.