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Newsletters
~ Contact Us ~ Aims and Goals ~ White Wreath Day Past Services ~
Volunteers
~ Statistics ~ Members ~
Personal Stories ~ Donate/Shop ~ Guestbook ~ Thankyou ~ Directors Report ~ Press Releases
~ Correspondence ~
Advocacy ~ Coming Events ~ Sock-It-To-Suicide~ Safehaven/s
Newsletter on Feb 2007
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This has been said many times in past newsletters.
When we hear the word “Cancer” it leaves an imprint in our minds. We become caring, compassionate and understanding towards those that suffer this illness whether we know them personally or not.
When we hear the words “Suicide/ Mental Illness” what imprint in our minds does this leave.
Let there be no doubt that the latter is also a debilitating illness that has fatal outcomes, with No caring, No compassion and No understanding. Family, friends, carers etc are left alone without support or help to assist their loved ones while they are/were alive and at a time when their loved one, friend etc most needed help.
Suicide/mental illness is a national tragedy and shockingly common, affecting almost every Australian family - directly or indirectly. It can strike a child, a brother, a grandparent or a co-worker. It can strike someone of any background. It can strike at any stage of life, from childhood to old age. No community is unaffected, no school or workplace untouched. Deaths by suicide out number those by Road Accidents, SIDS, AIDS and many other forms of death combined each year but because of the myths and stigmas associated with suicide/mental illness, the wider community is not made aware of this tragedy.
We as a society have to come to terms with our high suicide rate and accept and understand the devastation suicide/mental illness has on family, friends, communities etc. It is the only illness/death in society that ignorance is running rampant. So much confusion. So many misunderstandings.
How do we combat this?
Help us to help you. Together lets raise the much needed funds for those that need a place of safety when suicide threatens.
Your donations will truly be appreciated and are “Tax Deductible”
Fanita Clark
CEO
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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| THANK YOU |
Australian Air Express- Tanya Rouault Business Development Manager Banyo Qld,
National Storage – Benny Lim Manager Springwood Qld, Clayton UTZ Lawyers, Zupps Hillcrest-Roger Farrell Qld, , Kennards Hire-Wayne McJarrow, Adelaide City Council, NSW Railways Employees Welfare Fund-Frank Fontana Secretary Manager, Yoga To Go - Nicole Graving Petersham NSW, Cairns State High School Qld, O’Connells OBM P/L–Chartered Accountants Qld, Yellow Cabs-Woolloongabba Qld, Councillor Graham Quirk-Wishart Ward Brisbane Qld, Councillor Maureen Hayes-Grange Ward Brisbane Qld, Bunnings Warehouse–Coffs Harbour NSW, Councillor Kevin Bianchi-Acacia Ridge Ward Brisbane Qld, Councillor Catherine Bermingham-East Brisbane Ward Qld,
Logan Diggers Logan & District Services Club Inc- Logan Central Qld
“Special Thanks”
Australian Air Express Banyo Qld - Tanya Rouault – Business Development Manager. None of the following would have been possible without their in-kind donation of transporting our display/equipment to Adelaide South Australia for the Service we held in Remembrance of All Victims of Suicide on Friday 13 October 2006 in Victoria Square Adelaide and retuning it back to Brisbane free of charge.
Vietnam Veterans MC Adelaide S.A Chapter for their wonderful hands on help in Adelaide. They also supplied us with a P.A System and helped us raise money on the day. They helped us make the day successful and their support was very much appreciated. We sincerely thank you. (To view pictures go to our website www.whitewreath.com and click on the Past White Wreath Day link)
Mark & Julie Simpson Adelaide S.A. who courageously found our organisation via the internet after the suicide of their son Ben and organised a couple of fundraising events with the help of Nissan.com members. Part of the funds raised enabled us to hold the service in Adelaide. The other part was placed directly into our “Building Account” towards the “Safehaven Centre/s” for those that need a place of safety when suicide threatens. Mark’s hands on help on the day was also very much appreciated.
Adelaide S.A. Flower Markets for supplying hundreds of bunches of beautiful fresh flowers free so we could place in the main display of our photograph area. This truly made this particular area of our display so much more beautiful. (To view pictures go to our website www.whitewreath.com and click on the Past White Wreath Day link)
Peter Connier Floriade Direct Adelaide S.A. Who couriered the flowers to us free of charge. Peter found out about our situation that we approached and were unable to secure a free loan vehicle from Ford, Toyota, and Holden in Adelaide to enable us to do last minute preparations. After learning of this Peter loaned his own personal vehicle to us. We were so very grateful and will never forget his kindness.
Cara from Flinders University Adelaide S.A. Her wonderful hands on help on the day working by my side was appreciated.
Adelaide Public Last but not least for welcoming and supporting us on the day. We found the people very warm and we hope good things come out of this.
Together we brought to the City of Adelaide the White Wreath Association – Action Against Suicide and we are truly grateful for your support and will always remember your kindness.
Auction Night Thank You’s
“Thank You” to the following who generously donated towards our up and coming “Auction Night” to be held at Queensland Lions Soccer Club Friday 23 March 2007
Gloria Jean’s Coffees-Baulkham Hills NSW, Fernwood Womens Health Clubs-Underwood Qld, Sit Down Comedy Club-Paddo Tavern Paddington Qld, Golden Circle-Virginia Qld, Beaurepaires-Underwood Qld, Blarneys-Logan Central Qld, 1st Choice Liquor Superstore Browns Plains, BCF Browns Plains, Cartridge World Browns Plains, Coles Supermarket-Kenmore Qld, Coles Supermarket-Chermside Qld, , Coles Supermarkets-Sunnybank Hills Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Camp Hill Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Paddington Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets- Karalee Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Carindale Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Forest Lake Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Indooroopilly Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Manly Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Margate Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Booval Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets- Queen Street Brisbane CBD, Woolworths Supermarkets-Chatswood Hills Qld, Food For Less- Browns Plains Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Cleveland Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Ashgrove Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Birkdale Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Park Ridge Qld, Coles Supermarkets-Strathpine Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Darra Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Mt Gravatt Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Wynnum Qld, Peter Neame-Goodna Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Beenleigh Qld, Woolworths Supermarkets-Mt Ommaney Qld
There is still plenty of time if anyone wishes to donate towards our Auction Night. Please send donations to Head Office.
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Adelaide SA 13/10/2006 Just a Thank You to everyone involved in this organisation and similar ones. I was walking through Victoria Square Adelaide on October 13 2006 and witnessed the display of the White Wreaths representing suicides in Australia. This touched me deeply and I thought to myself…that could have been me 3 months ago. Much Love and Respect.
Toowoomba Qld 20/10/06 Thank you for your website. Reading all the stories have really touched me. About half an hour ago I really wanted to end my life. I suppose you could say I was drawn to the internet to find an easy way to do it, but instead it has effectively changed my mind and made me think more of the long view of life and the effects that I did not have time to think about. Thanks
USA 3/11/06 I came upon your sight because I have been searching for support groups for victims left behind by suicide. One of my dearest friend 17 year old son shot himself on 30 September 2006. I have struggled with attempts to give my friend comfort and help her deal with the pain. My friend is trying to deal with life after suicide and go on being a wife and mother to the son that is still living. Just a friend trying to help a friend.
Qld 27/12/2006 The personal stories on here are some of the most moving and honest I have read. As a sufferer of sever anxiety and sometimes depression, my heart aches for those driven to suicide, as I know how much life can hurt those with damaged souls, and I live for the day when people can get the emotional support they need, and families left behind don’t feel guilty because they “missed something”
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PETER NEAME RESEARCH OFFICER
Courier Mail 12 Oct 2006
TEACH THE HEART: VICTIMS
By: Ron Hutcheson Marylands USA
Victims of school violence shared their horrific experiences at a White House conference yesterday that ended with a call for more focus on character and values in the nation’s classroom. “What we’ve learned about shooters is suicide and homicide are two sides of the same coin. They all in some ways express a wish to die,” said Marleen Wong, the director of crisis counseling for the Los Angeles School District. In 81per cent of school shootings, at least one person knew that the attacker was contemplating violence, a secret service report said.
Peter’s Response:-
The ability to assess people accurately has grossly deteriorated and along with the assumptions made even before the individual is assessed, that everyone can be “restored,” “rehabilitated” or “recovered” – ie “the recovery model” simply means that “professionals” and the “system” effectively encourages killers and their murderous sprees. Here is President Bush confirming what I have been saying for more that 20 years.
- Suicide, murder and violence are all the same thing therefore any individual who presents to any services, mental health, social services, criminal justice should be assessed for all three.
- Most, over 80 per cent give warnings, often years, therefore most are preventable.
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Please don’t forget Membership Renewals are due on the 28 February 2007
 WORKPLACE GIVING
Workplace Giving is a form of donating to charity that is steadily gaining momentum across Australia as employers understand the importance of the health and wellbeing of their people and seek to improve employee satisfaction.
The ability to give and make a difference in areas that have personal meaning, has a positive impact on people in the workplace and Whilst it is not a new concept, a recent ruling by the ATO has made Workplace Giving more tax-effective for the employee and employer - and free of cost for the charity!
Workplace giving enables you to make charitable donations to White Wreath Association from your pre-tax pay through your employer's payroll system resulting in an automatic tax reduction, without the need to keep and claim receipts!
How it works
you approach your employer and ask them to please deduct your donation from your gross pay and pay this directly to the White Wreath Association. The account details for your employer to transfer your donation to be:
Westpac Bank
Account Name White Wreath Association Ltd
BSB No 034-109 Account any 210509
It is as simple as that!
Many larger employers invite employees to participate in the Workplace Giving program. Employees could be asked to nominate a preferred Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) charity or a particular area (eg mental illness) they would like to see included.
Importantly, the donations are constant and provide the ongoing income that the White Wreath Association needs to effectively plan and implement projects that will make a significant difference in the lives of many thousands of Australians. There is no cost to the charity so all the money donated to the White Wreath Association by employees goes directly to helping the White Wreath Association provide information, help and set up of our in/out patient care centres which will provide support for people and their families living with mental illness.
What do I need to do?
As an individual you can either:
1. Organise for your donation to be made directly with your employer (small/medium employers) into the White Wreath Association’s account:
Westpac Bank
Account Name White Wreath Association Ltd
BSB No 034-109 Account No 210509
ACN: 117 603 442
I AM OF EUROPEAN BACKGROUND
Living With a Person Who Suffers Mental Illness.
I Do Not Receive Government Financial Assistance.
My life living with and trying to care for my partner of over 6 years suffering mental illness is very difficult.
I am from European background and like most families; my family is not supportive of me supporting my Australian partner. I am left alone most of the time to cope the best way I can, mainly because of cultural reasons. I was born in Australia but my parents came at a much later stage in life to Australia. Because of my European background certain issues of my existing life must be dealt only within the family and not broadcasted outside of direct family. Guilt and dirty linen must not be spoken about. They do not want anyone knowing that my partner has mental illness because of the shame.
Compassion and empathy from my family is non-existent except for one person, my Auntie. This saddens me as I wish up until now for support from my (mother, father, and sister) to help me cope as a carer for my partner or at least try to understand her illness and what I am going through as a carer.
I know this attitude is wrong and I can’t cope with this alone. I need as a carer to talk to others, always trying to seek a solution to this devastation that has overcome my partner which I truly love. I want the best for her and myself so we both can regain a normal relationship. But I’m torn between family, traditions, beliefs and what my heart dictates to me.
As of European background I have contacted other European organisations for help and assistance only to be told, sorry we can’t help you.
I am at my tether end where I feel like chucking the towel in. However in my heart I strongly believe that being there for my partner I am making a difference, as difficult as it is. With the assistance of the White Wreath Association I feel there is a light at the end of the tunnel and I am truly grateful for their continued understanding and support. Not only for myself but also the work that they are doing in the community, educating the public on the seriousness of mental illness/suicide.
I hope my brief story is read by those of European background living in Australia who is in the same dilemma as I am.
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BOOK REVIEW
BY PETER NEAME RESEARCH OFFICER WHITE WREATH ASSOC LTD
The Eternal Garden
Kelly’s battle with mental illness and her journey to the eternal garden
Authors Brenda Whittaker & Selina Bambrick
Publisher Brenda Whittaker 2006. Cost $19.95.
Available from Brenda Whittaker
Ph No Australia: 07 4928 9906 Email: brendaw@bigpond.net.au
Kelly Whittaker a bright able intelligent young woman descends into serious mental illness and ends her own life at age 23 yrs – her story told by her mother Brenda and her best friend Selina.
From the heart of two people who gave Kelly unconditional love but struggled all the time to get Kelly admission to hospital and appropriate care for health professionals had branded Kelly an “attention seeker” – a death sentence for a suicidal person.
Throughout the health service suicide is the only life threatening emergency where people are routinely refused care. Brenda also had a son who had intestinal problems from a very young age – when ill he was immediately given the best available surgical care even flown to the most specialised services in the country. This was in stark contrast to the care of Kelly. The real prejudice in mental health comes direct from the health professionals who are taught not to admit people who are suicidal and\or self harming. When I first started work as a mental health nurse such behaviour meant automatic admission and being “specialed” by a nurse for 48 hours or longer until the crisis had passed. A nurse would be with the patient, within arms length, 24 hours a day no matter what the patient was doing including showering, toilet and personal hygiene. My generation the “post war baby boomers” decided that all medium and long term mental health beds should be closed because institutionalisation was bad – community care good. Most, 90% of the mentally ill have always lived in the community, 10%, 70,000 Australians and 12,000 New Zealanders needed long term beds to keep them safe, the community safe or just to give them a minimum standard of care. That is why the suicide rate has risen by 100’s of percent and the prison population more than doubled.
A sad story but typical of how modern mental health care works. Well written, good read, unique in that Brenda tells it how it was for her as Kelly’s mother, then follows how Selina found it for her as Kelly’s best friend.
One of the more distressing symptoms’ of mental illness is self harming/suicidal behaviour and underlying this ambivalence/oppositional behaviour. At times Kelly was determined to drive all her close friends and family away. Suicide is a willful act but the act of a person who has problems with the structure, function and chemistry of the brain – a mental illness. Brenda and Selina stuck by Kelly to the bitter/tragic end despite the total neglect of the Mental Health System.
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Belinda’s Journal Continued
Been clean now for 15 days. Had w/end leave on Sat & Sunday which I spent with Steve and my parents. It was kind of like house arrest. Not allowed to do anything without mum @ dad’s permission. It was great to be able to spend time with Steve. It still amazes me that he is still hanging in there for me. About a month ago he said to me that he thought I’d be a handful to be in a relationship with. Boy was he right. I’m now in the open ward of the hospital. They let me out of ‘special care’ on Monday. I had day leave yesterday and went to the movies with mum to see ‘Sliding Doors’ with Gwenyth Paltrow. It’s kind of depressing to see a woman like her who is beautiful, rich, intelligent @ talented – but I guess she probably has problems like everyone else. Yeah right! I also went to see Graham, my acupuncturist, who put about 16 needles in me – mainly to help my heart, liver and kidneys. He also gave me cupping - when you get a glass bowl, put a flame under it to remove the oxygen and then it suctions to your back. He then moves it up @ down your spine to remove surface tension and what Graham likes to term ‘shit’. I also treated myself to an hour long massage. All in all a very good day. I’m allowed to go on leave today but only with one of my parents so it’s not likely to occur as they are both working today. It’s OK, I’ll just catch up on my writing. It’s good to still be able to write. During my last admission here in February I was given injections of an anti-psychotic called Flupenthixol which had really debilitating side effects like pseudo Parkinson’s. I couldn’t even write my name. I also couldn’t read as my eyes would unfocus, my speech would slur @ I felt like a complete zombie. This time I’m on Valium, Risperidol – an alternative anti-psychotic, Largactil and Cogentin. This combination is a lot better. My eyes still don’t focus as well as they should but other than that the side effects are minimal. Feeling pretty good at the moment. Sitting in the morning sun with a bottle of coke and my cigarettes with my journal. Have just seen my psychiatrist who is ringing Currumbin re-hab to organise when I can go down and do their program. Hoping I can go tomorrow but not holding my breath.
Mum just rang to tell me that Currumbin rehab wants me to come down ASAP. Very happy about this. Will leave here tomorrow morning; spend the night with oldies and Steve and then go down to Currumbin on Friday.
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COMING EVENTS
- AUCTION NIGHT -
March 2007
Contact Head Office for Further details or if you wish to donate any prizes. The night should be a lot of fun for all
- WHITE WREATH DAY - In Remembrance of all victims of suicide. 29th May 2007
The main display on White Wreath Day – In Remembrance of All Victims of Suicide 29 May 2007 will be held in Queens Park Brisbane. Up to date information will be posted on our website www.whitewreath.com under “Coming Events” listing all other Commemoration/Remembrance Services held across Australia. Suicide/mental illness affects all walks of life, all cultures and all ages regardless of whether we are rich, famous or poor. All are welcomed to attend and lay a Photograph, Flowers, Poem etc and be part of a commemoration service that for most is the first time that they are able to freely admit the loss of a loved one, friend, work colleague etc that have taken their lives by these tragic means.
- SOCK-IT-TO-SUICIDE -
During the First Week of October (Monday1st – Friday 5th 2007)
This is an Annual event which involves workplaces, schools, social clubs, senior citizen clubs etc to wear (self supplied) coloured socks or stockings during one day of the week, and making a donation of a gold coin for the privilege.
We would greatly appreciate your support with this endeavour and hope it is a fun day for all.
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WISH LIST
“DONATIONS TAX DEDUCTIBLE”
Stamps, Copy Paper, DL Envelopes, Volunteers Aust/Wide
OR YOU MAY LIKE TO DONATE
1. Via our credit card facility posted on our Website www.whitewreath.com then follow the instructions.
2. Directly/Direct Transfer into any Westpac Bank
Account Name White Wreath Association Ltd
BSB No 034-109 Account No 210509
3. Cheque/Money Order to White Wreath Association Ltd
PO Box 1078
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CORRESPONENCE
Dear White Wreath
I have just read your notice re the total secrecy of suicide figures for two years I have been trying to obtain the statistics of suicides of clients of the Victorian mental health system. These are tightly held by the director of mental health, Dr. Ruth Vine, and the Department of Human Services; both she and the chief psychiatrist operate under the hierarchy of that service and the minister for health, Ms. Bronwyn Pike.
The statistics I have tried to obtain are those from 1989-2002, tragically, a silence of thirteen years. The bare statement of two research projects were told by Vine to an Age reporter, Liz Porter, and an article was published in the paper on Dec. 12th, 2004, headed "Suicide, a risk after hospital". The projects are:
1...an audit by the Department of Human Services from 1989-1994 of 629 suicides of clients of the MHS.
2...a joint research project of the Chief Psychiatrist's Office and the Coroner's Office, 1992-2002, of 1837 suicides of clients of MHS.
It is possible to calculate from Porter's article (allowing for the duplicated years 1992, '93, '94) that the suicide rate of clients of the mental health service increased by 81% from 1994-2002.
My daughter had schizophrenia for many years and twice attempted suicide. She was an involuntary patient of the Alfred psychiatric unit when she killed herself by train on March 16th, 2002. She is one of the seemingly never-to-be-released 13 years of statistics from these projects. The more than 2000 suicides must not be kept hidden any longer. In any other health service such statistics would be seen as an invaluable record which could be used to lower present and future death rates; this is not so in the mental health system. The Department of Human Services and our present government see them as dispensable in any other health service, medical or surgical, the death rate (which in MHS is almost wholly the suicide rate) is the bench-mark of the success or failure of that service...not, I'm afraid, in mental health.
I have been given many reasons for their non-publication: I did not give an interview to the Age...the reporter must have got the figures elsewhere (Dr. Vine, my phone call to her)
I can do nothing about the publication (chief Psychiatrist, my phone call to him)
The report is waiting for presentation in a professional publication (Dr. Cameron Wallace, a co-author of the second project, by phone)
"The figures are soft" (?) from a consumer advocate who spoke to Vine.
There are "difficulties in relation to the statistical analyses" (LRC Final Report, p.333, quote, Dr Vine)
I see the situation as crucial now that the Law Reform Committee investigating the Coroner's Act of 1985 tabled its Final Report in the Victorian Parliament on Sep. 14th, 2006. That report, some 680 pages, appears to have been done with great diligence and care. The evidence spoken of here was presented to the Committee in written and personal submissions and the reply Vine gave to the Committee's questions is given on pages 332-333of the report. (I believe you have the book, since you made a submission to them.) I despair at what she had to say to them, as you will also.
In response to their inquiry, Dr Vines informed the Committee Chair that,”as the person who carried out the research had moved to another position, the research had not been completed.” (p.332). Vine stated that “the report's conclusions should be viewed as preliminary”, (p.333). She also "expressed the hope that the department would be able to carry out similar work in collaboration with the State Coroner's Office in the future.” (p.333). such statements from the director of mental health contain the clear implication that these statistics are to be put away in a locked drawer by the Department of Human Services. I do not believe that it is a coincidence that this research, which covers precisely the period of active deinstitutionalisation, is kept secret. The proof of the increase in client and the failure of deinstitutionalisation is in the silence...which tears apart we who struggle to survive our children's deaths, which were almost always violent and always alone.
Please, help to ensure that these more than 2000 precious lives, these 13 years of invaluable research are not put aside any longer by this department, by this government.
Dear White Wreath
I have been in …. One year and just came across your organisation on the internet when I was looking for opportunities to volunteer with a suicide support group.
My father committed suicide in 1979. He had attempted to commit suicide 5 years before that but I found him. Actually I found him the second time too, but it was too late. My father had a mental illness as does my brother and I myself have suffered depression in the past and over the years have learnt how to overcome this illness. I have been free of depressive episodes for a number of years now, but I know what a struggle life is when you are journeying along this path.
I would very much like to support victims of suicide as I understand what a devastating impact this can have and does have on your life. The recovery process is really life-long, but as I have found, it is possible to become free of living the victimization of suicide. There is hope and that is the reason I would like to volunteer.
When my father committed suicide I went to his autopsy at the Courthouse in Sydney. That one week in May they had a list of all the suicides and all the murders. I will never forget, the lists and lists of people who had committed suicide far outweighed the numbers of people who had been murdered. It was then I realized what a devastating impact suicide has on our society.
If you think I could be a help to your organization, please let me know. I live in..... and work full time in the city, but I have no commitments other than to Church on Sunday mornings.
The best way to contact me is by email as currently I do not have a mobile or an answering machine.
With kind regards
Good morning,
I am hoping you can help me and/or point me in the right direction. My partner’s best mate (Mark) took his own life 3 years ago. My boyfriend seems to still be blaming himself for this which I am finding it is depressing him. I have tried talking to him about it and explain suicide to him and that it was not his fault. I don’t know what to do. I thought that by now (not that you can put a time limit on grieving) but to try and move on and understand what has happened and not blame himself.
Mark had Bipolar as well as taking drugs. At the time he committed suicide he just separated from his wife and 2 children and was very depressed and had attempted this several time and was found just in time by his wife, however this time she did not take the text seriously and he went through with it. I can not understand how my boyfriend can blame him self. Is there something I can do to help him and see him happy again.
Thanks so much for your time
Kind regards
My partner is again in hospital after taking an overdose of anti-depressants. This is the fourth time in the last few months. Where is the best place to find out how I can help her more? She suffers from mental illness and has been very depressed. I still go to work pretending nothing is happening because it's not something I want to share with my colleagues. She has been ill this time for 18 months.
Thanks
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