Busselton Community Safe Space is built on a simple idea: human connection saves lives. When someone is overwhelmed, isolated, or thinking about suicide, the most helpful first step is often a safe, non-judgemental place where they can be heard and supported—without pressure, paperwork, or being “fixed”.
We provide a weekly drop-in, non-clinical space for suicide prevention, emotional distress, and general wellbeing. Find our current opening times on the home page or Facebook or Instagram. You can arrive any time and stay as long as you need within our opening hours. There’s no cost and no appointment needed so you don’t need to navigate any systems to access our help. You’ll find a wide range of support options on our resources page.
Need support outside of our drop-in hours? Call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or 000 in an emergency.
Peer supported means lived experience and understanding
All of our volunteers have lived or living experience of suicide. That might mean they’ve had suicidal thoughts, made an attempt, cared for someone experiencing suicidal ideation, been bereaved by suicide, or had more than one of these experiences.
Research consistently shows that peer support can make a meaningful difference, especially for the recovery factors that matter most day-to-day, like hope, empowerment, belonging, and social connection. Across randomised trials, peer support tends to produce modest but real improvements in “personal recovery” outcomes, especially in a sense of empowerment and quality of life, even when improvements in clinical symptoms are more modest or variable1.
In practice, we aim to offer the kind of support that many people say they need when they’re struggling: someone who gets it, who doesn’t panic, who listens without judgement, and who can sit with the hard stuff.
Autonomy, dignity, and choice
Our approach is person-led. You decide what you want to talk about, what kind of support feels helpful, and how you’d like the conversation to go. We walk beside you; we don’t direct you.
A strong body of psychological research shows that when people feel autonomy, respect, and genuine care in support settings, they tend to cope better and experience greater wellbeing over time. This person-led approach aligns with better psychological functioning than approaches that might feel controlling2.
We focus on listening first, asking what you need, and supporting you to identify your next steps at your pace.
Reducing risk through connection means creating belonging
Suicidal distress often thrives in isolation. One of the most protective factors we can strengthen as a community organisation is social and peer support. Research links stronger social support and belonging with a lower risk of suicidal ideation, attempts, and death3.
Peer support is not a cure-all but our Safe Space exists to make it easier to reconnect: with another person, with hope, with support options, and with all the parts of you that want to keep going.
Accessible means no forms, fees, or referrals needed
We understand that living in a rural community can make it daunting to seek help. That’s why we keep things simple: no forms, no fees, no referral needed, and you can remain anonymous. We won’t ask for contact details and you can use an alias if you prefer.
Access to mental health care in rural and regional Australia often comes with practical barriers, like long wait times and high costs, or privacy concerns around confidentiality and stigma. These are the barriers that our accessible community support aim to reduce.
Non-clinical means peer support and practical resources
Our Safe Space is not a clinical service. Our volunteers do not diagnose, provide therapy, or offer medical help or medication advice. We are a community support option that exists alongside professional care.
We take safety seriously. If your needs are beyond peer support, we have a wide range of local resources to share with you. If there is immediate risk to your safety, we follow our safety procedures to support you.
Safe Space means a safe environment for everyone
We aim to keep our space calm, respectful, and safe. We set clear expectations around respectful communication, privacy, and not being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs that could impair judgement or endanger others. Our volunteers are onboarded into policies and procedures that define the peer role, personal boundaries, and safety procedures.
What to expect on the night
Walking into a new support space can feel daunting, especially in a small town. Here’s what usually happens, so you can arrive knowing what to expect.
You can arrive and leave anytime while we’re open. You don’t need to arrive or leave at a set time while we’re open. You can drop in, take a break, or leave at any time. If you want, we can talk through supports for when you leave, like people to call, places to be, and other small next steps. Find our current opening times on the home page or Facebook or Instagram.
A volunteer will greet you and help you get settled. You may want to talk privately, or just observe, or be ready to join in the group conversation. Expect a warm, low-key welcome and know that there’s no right way to be. Safe space means quiet, teary, chatty, unsure, numb… all of it is welcome.
There are no forms or paperwork pressure. You can share your name, or not. You decide what you disclose.
You choose how you want to be supported. Some people want to talk. Others just want to sit with someone nearby, have a cup of tea, or take a breather in a quiet space. If you’re not sure what would help, we’ll gently figure it out together.
Have a conversation with someone who gets it. We all have personal lived and/or living experience of suicide and mental ill-health, or have supported a loved one through it. We’ll listen without judgement. Peer support means we won’t rush you, analyse you, or try to “fix” you.
What is said in safe space is confidential. What you share in safe space stays private and confidential. If you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm, we’ll follow safety procedures to keep volunteers and guests safe.
If you’re feeling unsafe, please tell us. If you’re worried you might act on suicidal thoughts, please tell us. We can support you to make a simple safety plan for the night and help connect you with urgent supports.
Remember that this is a community safe space. If it helps, you’re welcome to bring a trusted person with you. And if you’re not sure what you need when you arrive, that’s also okay. Just showing up is enough.
References
- Høgh Egmose, C., Heinsvig Poulsen, C., Hjorthøj, C., et al. (2023). The effectiveness of peer support in personal and clinical recovery: systematic review and meta-analysis. Read it here.
- Howard, J. L., Slemp, G. R., & Wang, X. (2024). Need Support and Need Thwarting: A Meta-Analysis of Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness Supportive and Thwarting Behaviors in Student Populations. Read it here.
- Darvishi, N., Farhadi, M., Poorolajal, J. (2024). The Role of Social Support in Preventing Suicidal Ideations and Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Read it here.