As October came to a close, the strength and resilience of our communities continued to shine through — evident in the quiet leadership, lived experience, and shared commitment that foster environments where people can truly flourish. Across Far North Queensland, collaboration remains at the heart of progress. When individuals, organisations, and ideas come together with openness and creativity, meaningful change becomes possible.

Throughout October, the focus was on deepening community connections through intentional, developmental, and relational work. These efforts are helping to build a growing movement for change and to shift the narrative around suicide towards one of hope, compassion, and collective action.

Read on to explore what the team and our partners have been working on throughout October, and to get a preview of what’s planned for November as we continue strengthening connections and promoting life across the region.

The Month That Was (October 2025)

First Nations Collaborative

The First Nations Collaborative, facilitated by Strategic Indigenous Solutions (SIS) on 24 October, brought together community partners and cultural leaders to reflect, plan, and share in a collective vision for life promotion. The conversations held through this space continue to remind us that First Nations leadership and cultural frameworks are central to meaningful, sustainable suicide prevention. Read more here.

Community Development Training

In our place-based work, we’ve been reconnecting with participants from the Participatory Community Development Workshop through follow-up phone calls and emails — hearing what’s resonated since the workshop and inviting interest in Phase 2 of training. Planning with Agora Community Development is well underway for this next phase, which will focus on the practical “how to” of community development.

It was also exciting to see three community women from Kowanyama join the Townsville SPCAP Participatory Community Development Workshop — supported through our previous engagement in Kowanyama and relationships with Apunipima Cape York Health Council.

“How to Have Helpful Conversations” video resource

Our work regarding ‘changing the narrative’ this month focused on supporting open, compassionate conversations. The “How to Have Helpful Conversations” video resources continued to circulate through networks and partners, encouraging everyday dialogue about life and suicide prevention. View videos here.

Queensland Community Development Conference

We attended the Queensland Community Development Conference in Port Douglas, hosting a critical conversation on ‘How might we change the narrative on suicide?’. This was a vibrant and interactive conversations with participants stating the discussions gave them new perspectives and they left feeling hopeful.

Lived Experience and Community Voices

We have partnered with Roses in the Ocean, to host a series of Lived Experience Focus Groups, which will explore the Critical Shifts for Change identified across our networks. See critical shifts here, and watch this space for more information on the Lived Experience focus groups.

We were delighted to support members of the Kunjur First Nations Men’s Collective — part of the Life Promotion and Suicide Prevention FNQ Collaborative — to attend and facilitate a yarning circle at the Queensland Community Development Conference in Port Douglas. Their presence and leadership brought powerful, culturally grounded lived experience to the event.

We also shared new episodes of the 'Bring the Humanity back’ Podcast series, which amplifies local voices and insights from across the region — helping us stay connected through story and lived experience. View podcasts here.

We met with the National Suicide Prevention Office to discuss and plan upcoming forums that will bring the National Suicide Prevention Strategy to life across the Cairns and Hinterland and Torres and Cape regions.

We've also being working alongside CORES (Community Owned Response to Eliminating Suicide) and CRDVS (Cairns Regional Domestic Violence Service) to co-design an upcoming Domestic and Family Violence & Suicide Prevention Workshop, exploring the link between Domestic and Family Violence and Suicide.

What’s Happening This Month — November 2025

This month, we’re turning our focus to the National Suicide Prevention Strategy — exploring what it means for communities and how it can guide practical, place-based action across Far North Queensland.

Join us to unpack the National Suicide Prevention Strategy and reflect on how it can strengthen local and regional approaches to life promotion.

Tuesday 18 November — In-person Forum (Cairns)

10:00 am – 12:00 noon, The Bolands Centre, 14 Spence Street, Cairns
Register here.

Wednesday 19 November — Online Focus Group

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (online)
Register here.

For those unable to attend in person, this online session offers another opportunity to join the conversation and share insights on how the strategy can support collective action across the SPCAP regions.

See you next month

As we look ahead to November, the momentum continues to build. The collective energy, compassion, and creativity shown across our communities remind us that meaningful change is always possible when we walk together with purpose. Every conversation, connection, and shared idea contributes to a stronger foundation for wellbeing and hope.

Thank you to everyone who continues to lend their voice, time, and heart to this work. Together, we are shaping a future where every person feels seen, valued, and supported to live a flourishing life. We look forward to sharing more updates and stories in the months ahead.

Life Promotion and Suicide Prevention FNQ — November 2025