Connect For Life Program
Why participate?
While participating in the Connect for Life Program may seem daunting due to the highly sensitive nature of the topic, there are many benefits and rewards, some of the key ones we have outlined below.
Connection with others who have had similar lived experiences and the opportunity to share these experiences in a safe, non judgemental peer support space, guided by a professional facilitators. This can create a strong sense of belonging and growth.
You will learn how to use evidence based therapeutic photography as an tool for reflection and expression, guided by a trained therapeutic arts practitioner. Learning how to use visual expression to communicate deep emotions and difficult experiences is extremely powerful, and something that can be used in your life beyond this program.
Your perspective, wisdom and insight gained through lived experience can be very valuable to address some of the myths and harmful narratives that surround suicide.
What to expect and who we are looking for?
The program will run as three separate cohorts throughout 2025. The groups will be organised as follows. Please note, all participants must be over 18 and live in the South Western Sydney Primary Health Network geographic region. See map here.
Carers of those with active suicidal ideation.
Those who have experienced bereavement from suicide (at least six months bereaved).
Those who have experienced or currently experience suicidal distress (must have a support plan/ people in place).
Each group will run for eight weeks at a time for around 2.5 - 3 hours and will be a combination of support group and therapeutic photography.
Throughout these sessions we will explore your identity, emotions, relationships and significant life events through a safe, trauma informed, professionally guided and evidence based process.
As a participant your consent is ongoing, meaning that you will always be in control of what and how much you are ready and willing to share with regards your experience.
After the eight week program, all participants will be invited to work together as a group to create a campaign of photographic images and text that respond to some of the key challenges facing us as a community with regards suicide prevention. This is optional and not a pre-requesite for program participation.
You will have the choice to participate in the campaign anonymously if you wish. Regardless of your approach we will guide and support you through this process to ensure your advocacy efforts are untaken in a way that puts your own wellbeing and safety at the fore.
Who is running the program?
Janine Walker from Ironbark Therapy is a specialist suicide counsellor and will be facilitating the peer support group. Learn more about Janine here.
Natalie Hunfalvay from Folkal is a therapeutic arts practitioner and will be guiding the therapeutic photography component. Learn more about Natalie here.
Jessica Rasche is a psychotherapist who has joined our team in 2026 to support some programs.
The program is made possible by the South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN).
What is Peer Support?
Peer support is when individuals with similar experiences or challenges provide assistance, encouragement, and understanding to one another in a supportive and safe group setting. The primary focus is on shared experiences, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting personal growth and coping strategies among peers.
What will be discussed?
In our peer support groups, we will thoughtfully explore various aspects of your journey in a safe and trauma-informed environment. This will include respectful and compassionate discussions about personal experiences, coping strategies, emotional support, stages of grief, triggers, safety plans, available resources, health literacy and themes of hope and recovery. Throughout our conversations, we are committed to maintaining confidentiality and fostering a non-judgmental, supportive, and compassionate atmosphere. This means we will respect each other’s stories and emotions, ensuring that everyone feels safe to participate and share openly. Together, we will create a community where healing is possible, and each person’s journey is valued and honoured.
What is Therapeutic Photography and PhotoVoice?
Therapeutic Photography is a structured, guided, evidence based approach that uses photography as a creative tool, allowing participants to create images aimed at exploration with specific, clearly defined outcomes. Folkal’s programs are unique in that they combine therapeutic photography, PhotoVoice methods and visual literacy in a health promotion and social work framework. This allows us to work on the individual level, as well as more broadly on community and systems levels, harnessing the power of lived experience. No previous experience in photography or the arts is needed. No high end equipment is needed, a smart phone or simple camera that you are familiar with will work fine.
Often to express and process difficult topics, the use of metaphor and representation through imagery can be very powerful.
See our Case Studies to learn more.
Advocacy, Public Exhibits and Social Marketing Campaigns
Advocacy through lived experience can be challenging, but also immensely rewarding. You will be supported and guided through your advocacy journey with professionals that have your wellbeing and safety as the prime concern.
For this program a public exhibition of printed photographic works and captions will be held toward the end of 2026.
Artworks and captions will also be shared across appropriate digital platforms.
It is important to understand that our consent process is rigorous, and no part of anyones lived experience will be shared without significant consultation and consent with the individual.
We follow Mindframe guidelines to help you make an informed and safe decisions when sharing information publically about suicide: https://mindframe.org.au/our-stories-matter?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0E6bAOVfYxpDa6gPRrU1uyoaSNDofeqnSp9GLyPrKo2jrEIIdHhwMLPnc_aem_VGUkLIolV187UfICHjcYTQ
Do you have a question? Email here and let us know: info@folkal.com.au