Old Collegians' Association
CAPS Inc.

Introduction

Recently the Old Collegians' Association became an organisational member of CAPS Inc. (Community Action for the Prevention of Suicide). Deeply troubled by the recent deaths of three young Old Boys the OCA placed suicide prevention as a priority and has joined forces with CAPS to inform and help the BBC community to overcome and prevent these tragedies.

Why CAPS? The activities of CAPS is informed and will continue to be informed by the research and knowledge base of the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP) which is based at Griffith University and recognised worldwide for its outstanding standard of research.

AISRAP's deep commitment to helping to prevent suicide is evidenced by its role as organiser of the first World Day for Suicide Prevention, launched in Stockholm on 10 September 2003.

The willingness of CAPS to fund leading edge research programs and, at the same time, to care for people with suicide ideation, sets it apart from organisations which purely fund educational programs.

CAPS firmly believes that suicide can be prevented and their mission is to substantially reduce the rate of suicide in Australia. Their goals are to make suicide prevention more effective through innovative and evidenced based research and to provide the opportunity for the broader community to take an active role in the prevention of suicide. Their values are caring, prevention, collaboration, excellence, innovation and integrity.

In CAPS, the Old Collegians' Association found a way forward to a problem that is the responsibility of each and every one of us and by sharing their research with you we are confident that we will find a way to reduce the rate of suicide amongst the BBC community.