VR Experience To Be Used As Suicide Prevention Tool
The University of New South Wales in collaboration with the Black Dog Institute is currently investigating how an immersive virtual reality experience could improve an individual’s mood and potentially reduce suicidal feelings.
It’s called the Edge of the Present, the virtual reality experience has been developed in partnerships with people who have lived through experiences of depression and suicidality and come out the other side.
Now the installation project will be exhibited in Brisbane and tested as a suicide prevention tool in partnership with Metro South Health after receiving a grant from the Suicide Prevention Fund.
Jill Bennett, Founding Director of the National Institute of Experimental Arts and Scientia Professor from UNSW Art & Design spoke with us about the project and uses as a tool for Suicide Prevention.
Trigger warning: This story discusses suicide prevention. If you or anyone you know needs support please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
Photo credit: Alex Davies, the lead artist for the VR ‘Edge of the Present’ project.
