Let's talk about it - mental health and suicide forum

Mental health and suicide are often not spoken about. This needs to change. To try to make this change the ABC presented a 3 hour forum with many experts from the the mental health industry, including representatives from beyondblue, lifeline, headspace and SANE. The broadcast aimed to engage the community in conversation about mental health and suicide. For further information about what was discussed please visit the ABC website.

R U OKAY DAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2011

Tomorrow is R U OK Day
Who will you ask?

Suicide Sadness

Losing my dear friend- Carly’s story

Ever since my friend’s dad died, he hadn’t been himself. All he could see were negatives. His girlfriend was his main support and every time he had a problem, she would be there to talk to him through it. He thought that his life was getting better, but then he caught her cheating and she broke up with him. Having been together for three years, he had thought that they would be together forever. Now he felt that his world was crumbling in front of him.

When he died on March 2nd, 2009, it came as a total shock to everyone. He had achieved so much in his young life- graduating from high school and earning over $800 a week. He was doing well for a nineteen-year-old and still had so much more to experience in life. So many people looked up to him, especially his twelve-year-old brother who wanted to follow in his big brother’s footsteps.

Everyone was blaming themselves for his death, saying that they could have stopped him from making the wrong choice. Two weeks before he sadly ended his life, he had locked himself in his room for five days. Afterwards, he was happy around his friends and everyone thought he seemed okay. But then he started taking strong pills everyday. Everybody was worried but never thought he would purposely take his own life by taking an overdose of drugs. Everybody told him that life gets harder before it gets easier, but he would never listen. He insisted that he was fine and that he would get through this rough patch in his life.

After that, everybody left him alone, thinking that if he did want to talk and needed help, he would ask for it.

We’ve all had rough patched in our lives but our friends and families are there to support us during these times. Since his death, everyone has been distraught. We don’t know what to do with ourselves. He has left behind so many people that love him.

Life is so precious and we shouldn’t take advantage of it. If times get rough, talk to someone. If you get help early, you can fix things. It might take time but everything will eventually get better and you will be grateful for the life you have.
You only live once.

By Carly O.

Re-printed with permission – Wellbeing Magazine
This Magazine is produced by the participants of the
“Well-being Magazine” A Work for the Dole activity
which is sponsored by WorkForce Plus.

World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day. This day has been held every year since 2003 to raise community awareness about the issue of suicide prevention. This year the day has the theme of "Preventing Suicide in Multicultural Societies"

On the day events are held around Australia and the world to help raise awareness. One key event is the Out of the Shadows walks that "raise awareness about suicide, remember those lost to suicide and advocate for a united and committed effort to prevent further deaths by suicide". In Victoria walks will be held in the Fitzroy Gardens and also in Ballarat. If you would like to participate or find out more you can check out the Out of the Shadow Website

For more information about World Suicide Prevention Day and for resources to assist with suicide prevention visit www.wspd.org.au

Changes To The Media's Reporting of Suicide

The Australian Press Council has released revised guidelines regarding how the media can report on suicide.

The new guidelines will hopefully mean that the media and the community as a whole can be more open about the issue. As a result it is hoped that suicide rates will decline and that unnecessary deaths can be prevented through greater awareness of the issue.

For more information about the guidelines:
Read a story from The Australian Newspaper here

Check out the guidelines here

Watch the Talking Suicide episode from the SBS program, Insight, regarding how suicide is discussed here

Insight SBS: Talking Suicide

On Tuesday night the SBS program Insight had an episode focusing on how the issue of suicide is talked about within society and whether the media should play a more active role.

This issue is of particular concern because each year "more Australians die from suicide than on our roads".

If you missed the episode it is available on their website along with further information regarding the topic.

There is also a link with information about seeking help!

Mental Health Awareness Forum

The Ringwood Spiders Football Club is hosting a mental health awareness forum in partnership with the City of Maroondah and with the support of Beyond Blue on June 9 2011 at 7pm.

The club has lost two players to suicide in the past 18 months and is holding the forum in an effort to decrease social stigma regarding mental illness.

Key speakers include:
Assoc. Professor Jane Burns from Melbourne University
Mr John McGrath (AM), Deputy Chairman of Beyond Blue
Ms Sharon Boag from Eastern Access Community Health (EACH)

Through these experts, the Forum aims to:
•Increase awareness and provide a better understanding of the issues surrounding mental illness;
•Disseminate important information about the support resources and services that can help anyone who is experiencing a mental illness within their family, friends or community network

The forum is free to attend and the Ringwood Spiders encourages anyone who is interested in this issue to attend and hear industry experts sharing their knowledge and experiences. It will be held at the Karralyka Centre in Ringwood East and supper will be provided. Bookings for this event can be made by emailing mha@ringwoodspiders.com before Friday June 3.

Event Details:
6.30pm for 7.00pm start, Thursday 9th June, 2011
Karalyka Entertainment Centre, Mines Road, East Ringwood
Melways Map 50, Ref A6

Links:
Maroondah Leader: Ringwood Footballers Act On Suicides

Maroondah Leader: New Study Shows Maroondah Teens Struggle to Find Mental Health Support


Note:
A BIG thank you to Maroondah Printing for once again providing free printing of booklets and brochures so as ADAVIC can provide this information to the forum.
http://maroondahprinting.com.au/contact.htm

Location of Maroondah Printing Pty Ltd
Unit 16, 42 New Street, Ringwood. Vic. 3134

PH: (03) 9879-1555