World Suicide Prevention Day

Let’s unite to bring suicide out of the shadows into the LIGHT of awareness, hope, recovery and prevention. I’m so passionate about suicide prevention and saving people’s lives.

WHY am I so passionate?

I know what it’s like to feel alone, overwhelmed and without hope. Once I experienced dark days in the depths of mania and madness. Parents at my schools harassed and bullied me until I could take no more. Police incarcerated me into a frightening psychiatric hospital.

I wrote ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness my journey into and out of madness and despair. In ME & HER, I mention my special affinity with Robin Williams who’s recent untimely death devastated me.  Download 20 pages HERE

Over time, I learned how to recover by keeping myself well and resilient, creating a pro-active wellness plan with hundreds of coping skills. I wrote ME & HIM: A Guide to Recovery sharing recovery steps I used to recover … and helped my husband recover from depression too. I’m so proud: I haven’t had a bipolar episode since 2006. Download 10 pages HERE

Suicide is mostly Preventable

Tragically, six Australians are lost to suicide every day, underlying the importance of getting help. Worldwide the stats are even higher … every 40 seconds someone dies by suicide … We CAN help prevent suicide.

HOW can We Prevent Suicide?

1. Take care of your own mental health. Eat well, exercise and get plenty of sleep. Take time to connect with yourself and enjoy the activities you love doing. Take time to visit with friends and family. Keep track of your emotional behaviour will help detect signs of depression– a major risk factor for suicide.

2. Build and maintain social connections – vital to your overall health. Your personal network of friends, family or other trusted individuals can be a lifeline. Get involved in support groups, go to group therapy, or be active in social groups that promote healthy behaviours and well-being.

3.  Watch out for warning signs with your friends or colleagues especially changes in their behaviour. Learn the warning signs of suicide and what to do in a crisis. Don’t be afraid to talk about suicide with a friend or loved one. It will make all the difference.

4.  Find out what suicide prevention resources exist in your community. Most police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, mental health workers, and primary care doctors are equipped to help someone struggling with thoughts of suicide. Knowing who to turn to in a time of crisis can be lifesaving.

5. Help spread the word that suicide is mostly preventable. Help is only a phone call away. Ring Lifeline. If you or someone you know is experiencing a personal crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or access our online crisis support chat service (8pm-midnight, 7 days) www.lifeline.org.au/crisischat

6. WALK to raise awareness and prevent suicide. The Out of the Shadows walk provides an opportunity for people to openly discuss and reflect on suicide. 13th September 2014 8 -9am Kurrawa Park, Old Burleigh Road, Broadbeach. Lifeline will provide hats to commemorate the walk and flowers and balloons will be provided for those wishing to remember their loved ones. To register, please visit: www.outoftheshadows.org.au 7. Support the research of Black Dog Institute into suicide prevention and mood disorders. Buy a copy of ME & HIM: A Guide to Recovery  to create your own pro-active wellness plan to boost your mood and well-being. Learn how to overcome depression and beat anxiety. Prevention is BETTER than Cure. Percentage of proceeds go to Black Dog Institute. Read 10 pages HERE

PLEASE Remember to spread hope, recovery and suicide prevention.

Reach out to someone today … Save your life or someone you love.

What suicide prevention resources do you recommend?

How can we spread positive messages about suicide prevention?

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