The Wagga Wagga & Region Suicide Prevention Network (WWRSPN) was established in 2010 by concerned residents of Wagga Wagga. This community-driven initiative brings together community members, service providers, and individuals with lived experience to address the pressing issue of suicide in the region. The network’s mission is to reduce suicide and its impact through education and awareness, with a vision to inform, connect, and empower the community.
Suicide rates in rural and regional areas like Wagga Wagga are notably higher than those in major cities. primarily due to factors such as social isolation, limited access to mental health services, and economic hardship. Wagga Wagga reflects this trend, with the community facing significant challenges in addressing mental health and preventing suicide.
The WWRSPN needed a brand identity that could effectively raise awareness and provide support within this context. The brand had to resonate deeply with the local community, communicate hope and action, and unify the network’s diverse initiatives under a recognisable and cohesive identity. Additionally, it was essential for the brand to address the stigma surrounding mental health in rural areas, encouraging more open dialogue and engagement.
To meet these challenges, we developed a brand identity that reflects the core values of WWRSPN: inform, empower, and connect. The brand's visual elements were designed to be warm and inviting, using colours that evoke a sense of hope and community support. The logo and other brand elements were crafted to symbolise connection and love, representing the network’s role in bringing together individuals and organisations to prevent suicide.
Messaging was a critical component of the brand strategy. We focused on clear, compassionate language that emphasises the network’s commitment to providing tools and resources to reduce suicide in the community. The brand narrative highlights the network’s grassroots origins, its ongoing commitment to the Murrumbidgee community, and its collaborative approach to suicide prevention.
