September 2004

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

DIRECTORS REPORT SEPTEMBER 2004

Firstly I wish to “Thank” all our volunteers Australia/wide for conducting services on White Wreath Day 29 May In Remembrance of All Victims of Suicide. It is through your strength that we will continue to grow and bring to the attention of all Action Against Suicide. Many thanks to Media across Australia for recognising the day.

Our volunteers are the backbone of our organisation and work hard throughout the year behind the scenes helping co-ordinate White Wreath Day. You are the unsung heroes of our society. I take my hat off to all of you.

However due to the time frame of collating reports many weeks before publication of our newsletter we were unable to include all our reports Australia/wide. We apologise and will include them in the following newsletters.

Many times over people I speak to quite often say to me “If only our Politicians would suffer the terrible tragedies of losing someone to suicide/mental illness” then they would understand and feel the trauma we go through. I can assure you that many have. They are humans like you and I and have lost loved ones, friends and colleagues however because of the inaccurate information they are given they are just as confused as many in our society. “What to believe and What not to believe”. We recently mailed our recommendations of suicide prevention to all State and Federal Ministers, Defence Forces, Crime and Misconduct Commissions etc etc throughout Australia. Their replies were more or less a standard reply with the same format that suicide/mental illness is a complex issue and they are trying their best to implement the best strategies from the information they receive. Our organisation represents all Australians fighting for Action Against Suicide. We hope that our recommendations are adhered to, as daily we hear horrific non-existents of treatment and understanding of their illness.

QUESTIONS

Why is suicide downplayed when it ranks in the TOP TEN Deaths in Australia? Suicide is far greater than Car Accident Deaths, SIDS, HIV and many other forms of death combined.

Why is it not widely known that suicide ranks in the Top Ten Deaths of Australia?

Why is attempted suicide treated differently than any other condition where life is at risk?

What other illness would you only offer counseling without any other formal treatment?

Why are people who attempt suicide released after 1-2 days just to complete the job? Our own research from the hundreds of letters, emails, phone calls etc that we receive indicate that in most cases that these people do suicide. They are discharged too early or refused treatment altogether.

Why are people placed into Community Care when they have been prescribed medication, particularly anti-depressants, and whom become more dangerous in respect of suicide for the first few weeks or so after commencing the drug?

Why is the Confidentiality Law/Privacy Act in place for people who have attempted suicide?

Why are Psychiatrists/doctors hiding behind the confidentiality law and using this as an excuse?

Why don't Psychiatrists/doctors involve the family and carers and use the family and carers knowledge to help fight this epidemic?

Why is it not understood that these people who are suicidal are sick and must be treated as a medical/mental emergency?

This is not a complex issue. The simple solution is to place these people in a place of safety until medication has been monitored and stabilised like you would for any other illness.

Government is challenging us all to take more responsibility for our own health and well-being. This will rely heavily on you helping us to help you and together we will face this challenge and build our centres.

Fanita Clark

President

Index Self-Storage - for their continual support, Zupps - for their continual support, Kennards Hire - for their continual support, Browns Plains Hotel, Lions - Woodridge Kingston Branch, Salvation Army for their support, Karen Smyth & Ewan McKenzie Music Artists, Desiree Allan, Cr Judy Magub - Toowong Ward, Dr David Pittman Superintendent Minister of Albert & Uniting Church, Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre Toowoomba, Grand Central Shopping Centre Toowoomba, Brookside Shopping Centre, Quota International of Brisbane South Inc, Captain Cook Cruises-The Small Ship Cruise Line Sydney NSW, Peter McGovern Sydney NSW, Lisa & Steven Nelson Logan Qld, Yellow Cab Co - Mal Hartley, Loaves & Fishes Street Meet, Boystown - Family and Youth Services, Wellington Point State High School, Logan Hyperdome Veronica Thomas Centre Management, Original Art and Classes Robertson Qld, Greenbank RSL Services Club, Bayside Woodturners and Woodcrafters Club Inc for their kind donation, Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation Social Club, Slacks Creek Police Station, John Gilmour Woodridge Qld, Gavin & Karen Bird Brisbane Qld, Toombul Centro Shopping Centre, Westfield Carindale Shopping Centre

INAUGURAL WHITE WREATH DAY

KINGAROY - QLD

On Saturday 29th May a memorial service was held for the victims of suicide at the Kingaroy Shire Council forecourt. This was the inaugural service for the Kingaroy district and we will be back again next year.

Hundreds of white wreaths were laid in front of the Kingaroy Council chambers - each wreath representing one life lost tragically to suicide. This was a reminder to all who visited the display, that every life is precious, and that these people are not just statistics, but dearly loved human beings who were very much loved by their families and friends.

Our local Crow FM Radio Announcer, David Nugent was the Master of Ceremonies, and he did an absolutely fabulous job.

Helen Wintour accompanied by her husband Warren and good friend Guy Davis, performed marvelously some of the songs from the CD “Listen 2 Me”. Angel, Tears in Heaven and Cats in the Cradle were some of the songs sung by this group who kindly donated their services.

Amongst the guest speakers were Dorothy Pratt, MLA, Nanango; Brad Suosaari, Chaplaincy Development, Scripture Union Qld; Mrs Jenny Jensen, Chaplain, Kingaroy High School; Kristy Hill, Prevention & Early Intervention (suicide) Project Officer, SBDHS; Bill Kearney, South Burnett Ex-Service Support Centre; Pastor Des Limkin, Murgon Baptist Church; and Terry Fresser, Councillor, Kingaroy Shire Council.

Steve and Diane Kasper as survivors of suicide, shared about their grief-stricken journey since their only daughter Jessie completed suicide just 13 months earlier.

During the memorial service, those bereaved by suicide had an opportunity to lay a wreath, poetry, a photograph or flowers for their lost loved ones. This was followed by a minute's silence.

Before and after the service many of the bereaved were able to talk to our members present and other invited guests, and to at last be able to admit the way their loved ones met their death, without feeling any of the shame and fear they have endured for months and sometimes years.

All of the comments regarding the course of the day's events were very positive and many people drew strength from each other as they shared their personal stories.

Judy Hutton

Kingaroy Coordinator

White Wreath Association Inc.

MOUNT GAMBIER - SA

Mount Gambier held National White Wreath Day, this year at the Cave Garden at 10.30 am. It was a very long journey for me, being 17, in year 12 and caring for my 2-year-old son. Being the organizer for this special day was difficult, enjoyable and testing, although I have experience death by suicide twice, white Wreath Day opened my eyes, so many people are hurt because of suicide, so many stories. I tried not to take too much of their energy on, but I felt for these families so much.

Thursday the 27th I organized a display at our local shopping mall. This stall ran from 9am-9pm, a very long day, but a highly affective day. In all on Thursday we raised close to $400. When I mention “We” I mean service providers, mental health workers and volunteers from the Bereaved through suicide group run in Mount Gambier. All these people willingly volunteered their time during the day to help me man the display. We had an eye opening informative and draining day. But very much worth it.

At last year's ceremony, 35 people attended, this was fantastic, but I wanted to triple it!!! AND I DID! At 2004 ceremony there was just over 100 people!! I felt so blessed to have that many people attend, I felt as though I had done what I set out to achieve. During my organizing, I had 3 radio interviews, 2 newspaper interviews and 1 television interview; I got my face and intention out there.

At the ceremony this year we had a number of guest speakers, people such as; Gus Holla from Rosedale Funerals, a Police Detective who also lost his son to suicide, the City of Mount Gambier's Mayor, Steve Perryman and Lee and Graeme Anderson, who lost their 18 year old son to suicide two years ago. Our Reverend was John Deer and we also had a young lady singing. This young girl Naomi Summers, sang Angels while the community released their balloons. This part of the ceremony was most heart wrenching. I would estimate that the entire audience was crying it was a very sad moment for us all. However, I believe that crying is the best thing for grief and was over the moon that they all cried. I think we even had our Mayor in tears. During the ceremony, the past organisers, Trevor and Debb Mason presented me with a card and flowers, I am highly thankful to them also as they were a fantastic help and a great support for me! I'm really glad I met them and I'm sure I've made a life long friendship.

I have learnt many things about organizing events, about grief, about certain views in our town, and the “Real, in your-face” grief that was expressed. I thank you very much for this experience and I congratulate all the other volunteers who helped in their specific towns for National white Wreath Day.

Stamps (any denomination)

A4 Envelopes

DL Envelopes

Copy Paper

Paper Clips

Volunteers Australia/wide (For more information contact Head Office for details on (07) 3219 7279)

OR YOU MAY LIKE TO DONATE

Via our credit facility posted on our website www.whitewreath.com the follow the instructions

Directly into any Commonwealth Bank Account - White Wreath Association Inc Gift Fund

BSB No 06 4184 Account No 10253519

Cheque/Money Order to White Wreath Association Inc and mailed to PO Box 1078 Browns Plains Qld 4118

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Recently I spoke and met with a very attractive woman, financially stable with good employment that needed to talk to someone and as a result contacted our Association.

Briefly:-

Her husband (now separated from him) violent, abusive alcoholic

She suffers severe depression to the point where for days will not answer the phone and does not venture outside of her apartment.

Son suicided

Recently this woman found a male companion who has cancer. Her first diner date with this man consisted of him talking the night away about his illness and all the treatment he is receiving. The second diner date consisted of the same conversation and both times she was sympathetic, understanding and compassionate towards his illness.

I asked her did she tell him of her illness. Her reply was don't be silly he wouldn't want to see me again thinking that I am a nut case.

Reading back over this draft, of which not much will be changed, I feel I'm beginning to sound a bit of a sad case which I probably wouldn't give two shits about except that I've thought it through & I reckon it's pretty likely that these `memoirs' will be found by someone, some day maybe when I no longer am and so I should maybe lighten the tone a bit. But I'm not quite sure that I can or even should. The whole point (sorry, at this point! Any junky will find this last word will stand out to them but I just wanted to make sure). Hey, I sound like I'm writing to a `reader'. Well, you, reader, you've gotten to a point to where you can put the book back in the hole in the floor or you can choose lucky door number 2 and be choosing to continue to sort through, or be taken on a guided tour, of a fully certified (3 times) mad woman's thoughts. I have decided to be completely honest with everything I write in this book > to the best of my knowledge anyway. And I also don't see any point -(there it is again) in `beating around the bush' (as one of my mother's colloquialism's returns to my dialogue), when it comes to this type of writing therapy. It's purpose is to help me in life - and nothing else. Sorry reader if my story is a bit confronting for your (maybe 21st century) person. But I really don't give a fuck. Gee that feels good writing that. I hope your open-minded enough to not think that that makes me a bad person. If you did, give up reading now, you will not enjoy this journey I am embarking on & I would feel a lot more comfortable in my grave or wherever I am if you didn't rain on my parade by not having the capacity to understand who I am or what I am about. If your perception of my moralistic persuasion did not alter during my minor outburst & consequential revelation then you are welcome to read on. I will not, and never do, allow shallow, black & white, rigid people with very little lateral thinking ability to waste my time. If someone was to read these accounts one day I would hope that if they are still following the general gist of what I am & have been saying and in addition haven't been offended by my direct approach at weeding out `garbage' readers, so are therefore still reading, then you are one step closer to passing the “quality person worth making the effort to share experiences & thoughts with” Boo test. Boo is my nickname by the way. I just realised that I have been spending way too much time & effort testing possible but as yet imaginary people when I should be well into telling the tale of my decline into insanity - or whatever you'd like to call it. I'm very skilled at putting off the inevitable, if it was an Olympic sport I'd be famous.

To be continued.

SYMPATHETIC PSYCHIATRIST WANTED

Further to the article in our February Newsletter about a former Southland Hospital doctor in New Zealand found guilty of professional misconduct over his care of a mental health patient who killed his mother, we are looking for a psychiatrist fed up with the system here in Australia. In the New Zealand case the said doctor was barred from practicing for six months and ordered to pay $86,000 to a man who he had been treating (or mistreating!) who stabbed his mother a day after being released from a mental health unit.

We have been advised that one of the ways we can effect change to our present woeful mental health system is to similarly pursue an individual case of mismanagement. We have recently taken up the cause of people who have contacted our Association so frustrated with the treatment they have received by our current mental health facilities. We would need to find a psychiatrist who would be prepared to do a full psychiatric assessment of one of our current test cases.

If only it was as easy as we see on television. Is there anyone out there prepared to work with us - or should we say “brave” enough. If anyone knows of anyone we would love to hear from them.

MANY THANKS TO THE WHITE WREATH ASSOC INC

To Fanita & everyone else concerned,

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the food you gave to my daughter and myself last week. Getting through a rough time in one's life is made so much easier when you find yourself surrounded by kindness and support from people such as yourselves. We are deeply touched, overwhelmed and very grateful.

Thank you again, we will never forget it.

EMAILS

My name is and I am currently employed to run a project on Early Intervention for suicide. I was quite pleased to see your display at the Logan Shopping Center and wanted to commend you for your efforts and your volunteer's dedication.

I have been involved in suicide prevention since 1998 and was wondering how I could be of some help to your organisation? Maybe something can be co-ordinated for the last week of May?...

If would be nice to meet with you in any case.

Regards,

_________________________________________________________________________________________

I graduated from the university of Queensland with the master of commerce (professional accounting) degree. I want to get the volunteer job to improve my personal ability in business. Through nearly one-year working experience in bank, I understand the basic banking operation and after completing the accounting master degree, I got some fundamental knowledge. I have strong opinion of responsibility and am willing to bear all the duty in this job.

Regards,

This is a call for your help & your members .I have been doing some radio reports, & about to do a local TV report on the suffering of families & patients with no after hour mental health services & that we demand something to be done across Australia, so far we have had a large response even Victoria, Wangaratta, Wagga & many surrounding towns.

As our town alone has no services all of the long weekend and closest mental health hospital is 2 1/2 hours away.

Thanks for your time

________________________________________________________________________

I work at the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre and I received a

request from council to possibly include White Wreath Day, 29th May, in our

local What's On which is distributed to the local community, including the

media, and is also posted on our website. I have only your details and a

time 9am-4pm but no location for the event. If you could possibly send me

further information I would be most grateful.

_________________________________________________________________

New website looks great very professional

Well done

My name is …… and I lost my son to suicide six years ago this coming June 6th.

I was in contact with someone in the Newcastle area last year and was told that Association was trying to have a White Wreath Day in Newcastle this year.

Could you please advise if this is so. If not is the wreath laying still going ahead in Martin Place Sydney

Kindest regards

_______________________________________________________________

Dear Fanita,

I write to you, as I am a friend of Jeremy Pyner.

Last year my brother committed suicide.

I would like to try to get together a cluster of people in the ACT to form some kind of support group.

I've heard you started all this wonderful commemorative stuff going on. I don't know where to begin. Any ideas and/or contacts would be appreciated. Yours truly,

I was just wanting to know if there are any White Wreath Day celebrations held in Queensland? And if so where they are held?

Are you able to give me the details of the White Wreath Day activities in Adelaide/SA please?

Thank you.

Regards

Thank you for your quick response regarding the white wreath services, I look forward to attending at King George Square. But I have to ask you why Kingaroy? My father committed suicide last Monday and his sister about two months ago. They were both from a family of ten born and bred in none other than 'Kingaroy'. Is there any significance on why a service is held in Kingaroy or is it just as so many other happenings in my life at the moment a coincidence?

I lost my son to suicide six years ago this coming June 6th.

I was in contact with someone in the Newcastle area last year and was told that Association was trying to have a White Wreath Day in Newcastle this year.

Could you please advise if this is so. If not is the wreath laying still going ahead in Martin Place Sydney

I'm a reporter for Newspaper an online news outlet at the

University of Queensland. I came across an article on the internet about

White Wreath Day and the event you are holding at City Hall in Brisbane and

would like to do a piece on it to help promote this event.

I was wondering whether there was anyone available in the area to do an

interview basically talking about White Wreath Day, what will be happening

at City Hall and the issue of suicide more generally in Australia.

Thank you for your time and for the information you provided yesterday. As a matter of interest the name of your organisation, along with several other suggested contacts, was provided by the Department of Health but it has taken a week and many phone calls to find it. I think I understood you to say your organisation is not listed in the front of the telephone book because of an absence of government funding which would seem to me to be pretty fundamental problem. My superficial exposure to the issue has quickly highlighted the difficulty faced by a desperate person seeking suicide specific and non-confrontational help.

_______________________________________________________________________

I am writing on behalf of a dear friend & his family. As, sadly early this week their wife & mother committed suicide. Being a 44 yr old mother of 4 daughters and a 7mth old granddaughter.

Obviously we are all finding it quite hard to come to terms with what has taken place.

Please bear with me as I am finding it hard to put into words as to what we are asking for. I have been sitting here browsing away for a suitable organization came across your web site.

Question I wish to ask is, how does one go about offering donations to your organization? As has been or will be a request at the funeral for no flowers, but donations to some kind of organization that covers, depression, mental illness & possibly suicide. Would be grateful if you can steer us in the right direction regarding this matter.

Thank you kindly

My name is and I am currently depressed and suicidal. I would love to be able to volunteer for your organization, as I feel that I can help someone from making the same mistakes that I and a friend of mine has. Unfortunately it's too late for my friend, but I know that something positive has to come out of this, otherwise it would have all been done in vain. Please don't be afraid to let me help, although I don't have money to spare, I have a lot of time on my hands which would be just as valuable.

Sincerely

Hope all is going well. Just to let you know that I've written up the story

from the interview and it has been posted on our Newspace site, which I

believe you can access at www.newspace.uq.edu.au. If not I've sent you an

attached copy of what I've written hope it's all ok. Will also make a full

TV piece from footage I will take on White Wreath Day and bits from the

interview again then.

I was wondering will it be ok to film your guest speaker then to use in the

story?

Best wishes with everything and I'll see you on the 29th.

_____________________________________________________________________

Our daughter died a year ago today as a result of a suicide attempt that left her in a critical condition in hospital for 8 long, agonising weeks. I have visited your web site on other occasions after we noticed an article in the newspaper about your organisation on the day of Alice's funeral. We were upset that none of the psychiatrists or counsellors had ever mentioned its existence to us.

We live in Perth, Western Australia and were wondering if there will be a similar day to commemorate White Wreath Day and when and where it will be.

In appreciation

_____________________________________________________________________________

Please could you advise details of services being held in Adelaide, SA on White Wreath Day, 29th May 2004?

regards

______________________________________________________________________

I am trying to find out the details for White Wreath Day in Perth, could you please let me know the location and time.

It would be useful if this information was included on the website as some people may not go to the effort to send an email to find out.

Thanks,

__________________________________________________________________

Just a quick note to say thanks for your site.

It is really lovely.

Very important to share this information, read of other people's stories.

It is important for the grieving process and important for prevention.

Best regards

_________________________________________________

We heard about white wreath day through a friend. We

believe that it is this Saturday. My mother and I have

lost a family member to suicide and were wondering if

we could help out or be involved in white wreath day.

We are in the North Brisbane area.

Cheers,

_______________________________________________________________

White Wreath Day is 29th May. I was wondering if

there are any events happening in NSW this year that I could attend? One of

my friends committed suicide a year ago, but I wasn't sure if White Wreath

day takes place in Sydney.

Thanks

Hi, Could you please forward me any information on where I can purchase badges for White Wreath Day (in Far North Qld) and the purchase price.

Good morning

I have received the latest newsletter, thank you for that. I am absolutely amazed not only by the strength of character of Desiree Allan, but also the strength of character of yourself, with all you have achieved for others since the death of your son. Also thank you for publishing "Ian's Story."

I just have a query in relation to White Wreath Day. Since I am approximately 3 hours from Brisbane I was wondering exactly what the day entails from 8 - 4pm? You said the official part was at 1pm. What happens during that segment? I hope you don't mind the questions, but one of my neighbours may be coming to keep me company and I'd like to tell her about it as much as possible. Another friend I have met since Ian's death may come as well. Her husband also suicided 4 months before Ian died.

Thank you

______________________________________________________________________

Dear Fanita,

Just a note to let you know that I thought the service on Saturday was wonderful and the work that you do is great. You do a wonderful job and you are to be congratulated for this, working like this must bring you closer to you lovely son. Keep up the great work and hope that I can be of assistance in the future.

From XXXX

To Whom This May Concern

Hello, I am…., a Student Journalist With the Queensland University of Technology. I am writing a feature article about people who are turning their lives around in a positive manner after a suicide in the family. I am wondering if it is possible to ask some questions regarding suicide.

I have listed some questions below. If you could answer them it would be much appreciated. If you could include your full name and contact details it would be appreciated also. Thank you.

Questions

1. How does talking about suicide at days like White Wreath Day help families to deal with the pain?

2. Of all of the stories you have heard what is the most common case- for males or females to suicide?

3. Have you ever had a suicide in the Family?

4. What made you get involved in White Wreath Day?

5. Has the greiving process helped you move past the pain?

6. Any other comments?

Thank you so much for answering these questions. If you could email them back to me with your details by the 1 June it would be much appreciated.

Yours Sincerely

Hello

My name is ……. I talked with one of your volunteers at a shopping centre a few months ago. I have some expertise in computer hardware and would like to offer my services to you as a volunteer. I have at times free computers to give good homes too. One of my sons has some expertise in making websites too. If either of us can be of help let me know.

Regards

Dear Fanita,

My name is …. And I am 17 years old. I lost my aunty to suicide on the 31/01/04 at the age of 24 and then my father in the same way a few months later on the 20/04/04 at the age of 44. Words cannot express the loss I feel and I don't know if anything will ever fill the emptiness inside me. These are feelings, which I am sure you are more than familiar with. I just wanted to write to you and simply tell you, thank you. Thank you for being such a brave, courageous and giving woman. You have touched so many lives through your strength and shone light onto people experiencing a lot of darkness.

I attended white wreath day yesterday in Brisbane, and even though I was by myself, I felt this incredible sense of togetherness with everyone in attendance.

I strongly believe that something must be done to curb the ever-increasing loss of lives to suicide. I see the importance in removing the stigma surrounding mental illness and consequently suicide. I think a great place to start would be the media, considering it is the most powerful tool in today's society. If people don't read about suicide, they think 'I'm the only one'. And this certainly is not the case.

I would love if you were able to e-mail me back with some ways in which I can help promote the cause of your association and raise awareness for suicide. I'm not sure what I can do, but I know that even the smallest thing can help.

I know you must be flooded with e-mails, phone calls and letters daily but I would really appreciate if you could let me know some ways in which I can help, whenever you get the chance.

Nothing will bring back my aunty and dad, and so I want to do anything in my power to help save other peoples loved ones.

Thank you again for providing me with a greater understanding and a little bit of hope.

Yours sincerely,

Hello Fanita

I introduced myself to you on Saturday. I am the assistant coach for the ……………. Rugby side. I am aiming to run the Gold Coast Marathon on July 4. I have approached several of the …..' sponsors regarding sponsoring me in the event with a view to donating the money to charity. I had intended to donate the money to Here for Life, but they have no gotten back to me regarding the processing of the donations. I have had some cash and also Lion Nathan and Coca- Cola have agreed to donate product to an organisation for use in raffles or fundraising dinners etc.

I need to be able to issue Tax invoices to the companies who are willing to donate money. If not, they are unable to give it. If you are able to help me with this, I am happy for the money to go to your organisation.

Regards

____________________________________________________________

I heard Michelle Hines on Local ABC radio in Canberra last Friday and it was very, very moving. I rang my sister and she tuned in also.

Michelle, I tried to contact you afterwards, as we wanted to offer some kind of support. Since then, we have looked into White Wreath, and you may have met several of my siblings at the memorial in Canberra. I know my sister ….. has offered her help with your organisation.

My brother …. took his own life in February after lengthy dealings with a callous and inept Mental Health department. We are all very cut up.

Just wanted to say, please feel free to ring me …… or email me if you need anything at all, just a chat or whatever. I live in Chisholm, and I am also a Mum. Like you I found it extremely difficult explaining everything to the kids, I think you were very brave to do the interview.

Regards

I am living in …… and my father committed suicide back home in England 2 weeks ago. The pain I feel is dreadful and I wondered if you have any support groups or meetings nearby that I could attend. One minute I feel ok the next I just can't cope.

Many thanks,

This is an email primarily relating to your White Wreath Association.

My name is …. and I am a member of a Brisbane-based

Pop/Rock band …... We are applying for a Contempory Music

Touring Grant this month and are interested in promoting your campaign

against suicide with our upcoming 2005 …….. tour. Does the

White Wreath Association have an application process in place for

sponsorship of touring bands? We feel very strongly about the

importance of enjoying life and finding a drive to keep you going.

….. is planning to tour the PCYCs throughout Queensland in

February 2005, and is interested in securing sponsorship from programs

promoting children, teenagers and adults to love life and to remove

suicide as an option.

If you are interested in a hearing our music we can send you a

copy of our Pre-Release EP, plus our first film clip, which was

partially funded by a ………….. grant.

Our debut album will also be completed by September. For further

information about …… feel free to check out

Since our grant application is due Monday 5 June, please forward all

of the necessary information and application forms as soon as to our

possible to our Producer/Manager …… at

Many thanks

I am interested in helping you as a volunteer. I live in Woodridge, 4114. I have done volunteer work before with children in a safety playgroup in Maryborough for 6 years. I have 5 children of my own and now grown up. I have also 4 grandchildren.

I am only 43 years old. I have dealt with a lot of teenagers and old people in the past and do know how their minds work. I am very interested in help if I could I can work 3 days a week for you. Could send me some information on how I could help you please.

Dear White Wreath Association,

My name is …… and I am still suicidal. But I would

like to help in anyway I could for I do not want to

be like this forever. I live in Brisbane and I would

love to help anyway I can. To drive around for you,

to run a letter to the post office, to get lunch

or do some admin take phone calls.. I would love to

help as much as I can. I work casually and have

graduated with Bsc/BCom. I can do accounts and would

love to help out. I do not ask money in return...

but one thing I do ask is for my help big or small

to be appreciated. That is all.

I look forward to your reply. Thank you for your time

to read this and giving us all suicidals a hope.

Thank you.

20/420/04 Toowoomba Qld What a wonderful wonderful display that was at our local Shopping Centre in Toowoomba. I commend your organisation for its work. It is about time someone got off their backsides and are doing something about this terrible tragedy. Toowoomba has had many suicides and I hope this brings the realization that we must try to do something to stop what is happening. If only our politicians suffered like we do then something may change. Good luck and keep up the good work.

21/4/2004 Toowoomba Qld I saw your display at a chopping Centre. I lost my brother to suicide. It was an overwhelming feeling knowing how this has affected so many people. My brother was 28 years old and shot himself. I picked up some information and I will become a member of this very worthwhile cause. It's not easy coping as I found my brother and I am having nightmares. I wish this never happened. I loved him so much XXX.

4/5/2004 Melbourne Vic This is A Wonderful Site. I have lost Family Members to suicide and also been very close myself in the last few years. I'm one of the lucky ones. I had a voice in the Mental Health System. It's time Government Improved Services and Make available safe Not the scary places they have Now for People to get help! The System is wrong and Families and Parents should have access to information re Their Loved Ones. How Many More Lives Must be Lost!! Before they open their Eyes. If you have depression another site that has helped me in my struggle that I would like to share with you is www.depressionnet.com.au Remember your not Alone and there are a lot of People like Us out there. Peace to you all.

15/5/2004 India Depression guide is a one stop site for depression help and support. It lays stress on treatment and the role of family and friends towards the affected person. There are articles which talk about and describe affective means to help yourself or others coming out of depression. It's a must visit site.

16/5/2004 Palm Springs CA Lots of sad stories her. I feel for all of you. God Bless You All.

16/5/2004 Palm Springs CA Great site, good to see people out there doing something about this.

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16/05/2004 Brisbane Qld I want to know what as a university student at your campus (enrolled in a Bachelor of International Relations) and you 'promote and conduct research in all aspects of suicide prevention', are active in suicide prevention strategy development, provide education and training for professional and volunteers and serves as a national clearinghouse for information on suicides', yet you are unable to encourage the university to publish in the diary provided to students each year/semester about White Wreath Day. Why can you not as a school that supposedly provides all these 'professional' services and is supplied with funds from the government, assist a volunteer organisation in promoting their yearly memorial day of victims of suicide.

The other complaint/concern I have is that this advertisement is really only pushing Griffith University courses and not offering assistance to people who are possible suicidal/needing assistance and there should be some contact numbers of organisations on the advertisements for people to contact, such as White Wreath, Lifeline, Salvation Army and the relevant public and private hospitals who deal with mental illness.

Hope you can address my issues and concerns.

Thanks

FOOTNOTE.

All personal references removed, our newsletter cannot be used for personal attack.

Editor White Wreath Association Inc

Action Against Suicide

29/5/2004 Mt Gambier South Australia My best friend committed suicide around 8 months ago. I didn't see it coming, it was the most horrible and unbearable pain I had ever felt. He was such a happy person and no-one what so ever saw it coming. Not even his mother. About 4 months after this, another one of my close friends tried to kill himself. Suicide is always kept in the dark because everyone thinks if it is exposed, people will try it. But they need to know there is help. Thank you for what you are doing, making sure everyone knows. I am currently undertaking year 11 at a private school down here, recently I found your poster scrunched up in the bin, in our teachers staff room. They don't want us to know about this stuff, but if it isn't put out into the open, and people don't know that they have so much going for them, and life is worth it. Thank you once again for all your work. I am, with many others, very grateful. K………

1/6/2004 Rockingham WA My finance suicided last year on 4 May, he had a low self esteem even though he was loved by everyone. He was known by his smile and yet he hid his true feelings very well I believe he loved everyone around him more than he loved himself. Nobody knew that he was suicidal until it was too late. I know that he is gone but still sometimes to this day believe he is on a holiday and will return when he is ready. I believe that your website is great and that there should be more information to show that this does not happen to normal everyday people because if nothing is done we will lose more beautiful people. I LOVE YOU……..

1/6/2004 Perth WA I lost my 18 year old son on 4th May 2003 by suicide. Like a lot of other people I am angry at the lack of awareness that society has towards suicide. I am saddened that other families will go through what I am still going through. I believe that society must be made aware of the devastation that suicide causes our community.

A family desperately in need of help for their 20-year-old son contacted our Association requesting help. Below is a copy of a letter that was written on behalf of the family with their full permission.

3 Days later they were contacted by Dept of Health as a result of our direct involvement.

14 April 2004

Minister for Health and Ageing Hon Tony Abbott

Premier Hon. Peter Beattie

Minister for Police and Corrective Services Hon Ms Judy Spence

Minister for Health Hon Gordon Nuttall

Health Rights Commission David Kerslake Commissioner

CMC Dr Paul Mazerolle

Media

We wish to draw your attention to a situation which we have come to believe is very common. In this case the Mental Health Services were reined against a young man and his family. The end result could have well been a murder suicide. Accurate initial assessment is vital in any service as illustrated on page 3 Courier Mail today (14 April. Death Turns Focus on Hospitals.)

Our Recommendations

1. … Health do an independent assessment of the young man away from the culture of …. Hospital, which is to downplay the seriousness of suicide/mental illness.

2. Urgent review of current clinical assessment of possible admissions before more lives are lost.

3. An apology to the family from the Director of Psychiatry of …… Hospital.

4. Personal accountability of Clinicians who refuse to update their skills and thereby cause loss of life.

In this case the very practices of the Psychiatric Profession was to push the patient closer towards suicide and murder suicide.

5. The concerns of the family and the patient must be paramount.

6. Public safety must be paramount. In this case the assessing clinicians completely and totally ignored the wider public safety concerns to the patient to his family and to the wider public.

Brief History and Outline.

Prior to being contacted by this family White Wreath had been in correspondence with the Director of Psychiatry of ….. Hospital over similar if not identical situations. We offered practical advise in terms of a direct presentation to Clinical Staff at …., the Director of Psychiatry intimated that their suicide assessment policy was the best.

We realise it is easy to blame government and politicians but infact in this case and the case on page 3 Courier Mail 14 April it is the initial assessment that was cursory and superficial and we note also that medical associations are moving to blame the government, the government can not be present at every admission.

The following is the history of the young man outlined by him and his family to me last night.

First presentation Saturday 20 March - waited in emergency approx 4-5 hours. Finally assessed by Psychiatrist for 15 minutes. Psychiatrist rang father at 11pm and asked him to bring pushbike as son wanted pushbike to go home. Dad refused saying my son is suicidal he needs to remain. The patient said he was suicidal and said he needed to remain. Doctor called taxi to take patient home. Taxi driver dropped patient off 10-15 klm away from home. Doctor gave patient Largactil, Valium and other medication, which almost put him to sleep (even though the doctor said there was nothing wrong with the patient) Patient ended up sleeping in a bus shelter.

Following Day 21 March patient became angry and agitated presented himself at ….Police Station (….) saying I'm not well I want to kill myself and others. Police took him to ….. Hospital (their response was more appropriate than the hospital response) Patient again waited 4-5 hrs assessed in 10-20 minutes sent to …… Salvation Army Hostel, there overnight.

Father received a letter from sons GP requesting the patient be fully assessed. Doctor assessed patient as being schizophrenic.

Saturday the 3 April parents out - patient took a knife to brother who was 17. Two other brothers ran to next-door neighbours - neighbours called police. Police came. Family arrived home same time police arrived. Police took patient to hospital. Family also tried to get patient admitted to ….. Hospital but told that he was not in their catchment area.

What other life threatening condition would a patient be refused hospital admission?

Remember his presenting History.

Young male suicidal self - presenting (see point 2 of our recommendations Internationally self presentations is regarded as psychiatric emergency) said that he was hearing voices and seeing things. Car stalled he lifted up the bonnet and saw a severed arm. He saw dead bodies in the back seat of his car.

Most importantly this mans concerns were backed up by his entire family yet their concerns were treated with contempt.

There have been 5-6 cases on A Current Affair Channel 9 featuring very similar cases where families and patients concerns were downplayed.

We know of 5-6 cases over the past few months.

We don't wish to target …. Hospital but we do wish to ensure that all Psychiatric Services including ….. lift their game to prevent further deaths.

We point out that there has been a number of murders, police shootings/deaths in custody as a result of the initial assessment services not listening to the patient, patient's family and the police attempting in good faith to get help for the patient.

Yours sincerely

Fanita Clark

President

EMAIL SENT TO AUSTRALIAN PRESS COUNCIL

What has and is still is in place since 1976 of not reporting suicides deaths is not working as suicide is on the increase.

Updating of skills and understanding is paramount to the reduction of the continual atrocities that is occurring on our home soil through lack of understanding of old and outdated ideations.

I and thousands of our fellow Australians have lost loved ones because of this hypocrisy of not knowing the seriousness of suicide in our lucky country.

Reporting Guidelines

General Press Release No. 246 (i) (July 2001)

Suicides are generally not reported in newspapers, but mass suicides, suicides by public figures, bizarre cases, the continuing debate around voluntary euthanasia, research and statistical analysis, and other aspects of suicide and mental illness are all legitimate matters of public interest and concern. http://www.presscouncil.org.au/pcsite/activities/guides/gpr246_1.html

Sincerely

Fanita Clark

President

PRESS RELEASE

14 June 2004

We support Tony Abbott's changes in the Privacy Act.

We know of far too many cases where parents have not been told that their son/daughter was suicidal until after they completed the act.

If doctors want that type of secrecy, they must be charged with manslaughter every time a child or a young person who suicides or dies of some other illness where the doctor has failed to inform the family.

There was a time when doctors listened to mothers and worked cooperatively with families. Privacy laws concocted by doctors and lawyers now conspire to play children and young people off against their families and loved ones.

I made this point in Canberra in 1999 to the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, All Federal Parliamentarians and the public who were gathered at our very first White Wreath Action Against Suicide Commemoration.

1999 was the year my son suicided.

Yours sincerely

Fanita Clark

President

WINNER OF OUR MOTHER'S DAY RAFFLE

Drawn 7 May 2004

Mary Irwin

Waterford Qld

Green Ticket No 45

Congratulations

THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE VIEWS OF THE WHITE WREATH ASSOCIATION INC®

AGM MEETING

Dear Member

The Annual General Meeting of the White Wreath Association Inc - Action Against Suicide will be held on Monday evening, Oct 4 2004 at the Brown Plains Hotel Function Room, Browns Plains Road, BROWNS PLAINS, QLD commencing at 7 p.m. at which all positions on the Committee will be declared vacant.

You are invited to attend and, if interested, nominate for any of the positions on the Executive Committee or as a Sub-Committee member.

Below is a postal nomination form, which should be returned to reach the office five days prior to the meeting.

We look forward to seeing you there and thank you for your continuing support.

Yours faithfully

Committee - White Wreath Association Inc

I wish to nominate for the position of President/Secretary/Treasurer/Sub-committee member.

Name: _________________________

Address: ________________________

________________________

Please complete and return to WWA Office at PO Box

BROWNS PLAINS QLD 4118 no later than 20th September 2004.