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The Federal Government has delayed releasing suicide statistics over the past few years and more recently have been delayed even further where they are over two years behind.
Due to this we are unable to determine how many deaths YEARLY there are.
Suicide/Mental Illness is the cause of death of hundreds of thousands of lives every year. Nothing alarms a family more than losing a loved one to suicide/mental illness.
USA over 35,000, China over 300,000, Japan over 33,000, India over 100,000.
In Australia it is very difficult for us to estimate due to the process of collating data determining a suicide. The coroner's role is to determine the cause of death, not the leading circumstances to the death but we estimate in excess of 8,000. This list goes on with a "Final total of over 1 Million Suicides World Wide Yearly". This is shear devastation in anyone's opinion.
Do their deaths touch the hearts of the world? Are these people remembered with dignity and respect? Are any buried by state funerals? If mass suicides occur what is the reaction? Are the surviving families helped in any way? Are there telethons to raise the much needed funds? Are we caring, compassionate and understanding to those suffering this dreaded illness and surviving families?
We know of families that have lost all their children to suicide (4) in other families parents have lost three and two children. Others have lost mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, aunties, grandparents etc. In many cases family members are the first on the scene and have found their loved ones, their own flesh and blood in horrific circumstances. All of these people are traumatised, devastated but yet they must grieve in silence and cope alone.
For those left behind by these tragedies the hurt is no less traumatic and yet society's response to these surviving families and friends is vastly different from the help offered in other kinds of medical and social tragedies. It seems that no one cares or understands that the families and friends of suicide victims are in as much need of help and support as other members of our Australian society and are just as deserving of our understanding and respect.
If a million people were killed by any other means there would be a huge response/outcry.
Why the difference?
How many more people must die before "Action Against Suicide" is taken seriously.
We need your help.
The good you do today may be quickly forgotten, but the impact of what you do will never disappear.
--Anonymous.
Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.
--George Bernard Shaw
Fanita Clark
President
Index Self-Storage, Zupps Hillcrest-Roger Farrell, Browns Plains Hotel, Mainfreight-David Kingdon, Hyperdome Shopping Centre-Veronica Thomas, Sin V Skin Tattoo and Piercing - Sonya, Spicers Stationery - Bob Reynolds Manager
A Special Thank You to Sally Bell of Western Australia. Her husband suicided last year and through her determination, courage and strength she instigated a fundraising venture in honour of her husband Craig called "Swim for Craig" She kindly nominated our organisation as benefactor of donations received. We are truly grateful and wish her and her family well.
All things good to know
are hard to learn…
Greek Proverb
WE ARE ASKED ON MANY OCCASIONS FROM UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FOR OUR INPUT IN HELPING THEM IN ESSAYS/THESIS'S THEY ARE DOING.
THE FOLLOWING IS A RECENT REQUEST OF THEIR QUESTIONS AND OUR ANSWER.
1. The article I am analysing states that murders are more interesting than suicides as a story and that is why there is more murders in the media. Do you believe this to be true?
Murders are described in detail and it is human nature that the finer details of how the death occurred intrigue most. We refer you to Peter Neames Book "Profile of the Mass Killer Amok Murder Madness and Badness 2003". Freud talked of two forces in literature Eros Life Force and Thanatos Death Force. If the Greek idea of Thanatos is one of the most powerful forces in nature then it's obvious why it gets so much publicity. It isn't just that negative news is more news worthy than positive news.
There is also a Heads of Agreement between Senior Political Parties and the Media not to publisice suicide.
2. What comments do you have in regards to how suicide is portrayed in the media.
Of late there has been an improvement with some good articles. Generally the Media downplay suicide which in an open democratic society is nothing more or less than censorship. We find this annoying because it doesn't prevent suicide but it does give a false impression that suicides are not important.
3. Do you think that if suicide was exposed more in the media it would positively or negatively effects consumers?
Suicide bombers get tons of publicity and it has no affect on the suicide rate however what authorities base their concerns on is that suicidal people will copy "Successful Suicides". For eg there maybe a spate of people jumping in front of trains, jumping off buildings, but hanging has remained the most common form of suicide in males and females for thousands of years and suicide rates have been noted to rise in Spring time for thousands of years. Averaged out the suicide rate is roughly the same everywhere. Suicide is caused by neurological problems leading to low serotonin commonly referred to as a mental illness.
4. The article also states that the media's job is to give an accurate picture of what is happening in the world no matter whether it is story material or not. Do you agree?
That's an open debate. The Media simply do not give an honest picture of suicide. We estimate that the true rate of suicide is five times the official figures and is one of the most common forms of death. It's preventable if we admit and treat mentally ill people early in the development of their illness. This is no longer possible because of the mass closure of medium and long term mental health beds. There should be 70,000 medium and long term mental health beds in Australia, there are no medium or long term beds. (In 1960 with a population of 10.1 million Australia had 35,000 beds)
5. Do you think consumers views would change about suicide if publicised more in the media?
This is a poorly defined question, do you mean consumers of the mental health system, the public generally or consumers of particular products. The public generally were never consulted in the wholesale closure of mental health beds. This change was pushed through by "Senior Policy Advisors" and the "Psychiatric Profession" in a deliberate move away from treating the chronically mentally ill, those who suicide, to the worried well. The fact is there is a complete policy and a structural change that discriminates against those most likely to suicide.
Reply was compiled by Fanita Clark President & Peter Neame Research Officer White Wreath Association Inc - Action Against Suicide.
White Wreath Day services are being held throughout Australia on 29th May 2005. These services are conducted to bring to your attention that Suicide/mental Illness is at epidemic proportions and is plaguing our lucky country. Thousands of White Wreaths are laid in remembrance of all victims of suicide.
As the newsletter is collated many weeks before distribution we were unable to finalise all details of services being held throughout Australia. Please contact head office for services held in your area.
Smiling is infectious, you could catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too
I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin
When he smiled, I realised I'd passed it on to him
I thought about that smile, then realised its worth
A single smile, just like mine, could travel around the earth
So, if you feel a smile begin, don't leave it undetected
Let's start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected.
Ruth Avenell
EMAILS
15 Jan 2005 Mackay Qld - A very sad necessary site, I have sent an email to you and will become a member when I can. Love and Light
17 Jan 2005 Mackay Qld - My name is …. I recently lost my 17 year old daughter to suicide she was beautiful, kind, thoughtful and friendly. Kylie started to change and became more withdrawn but as the first sign was profuse sweating from her hands, I took her to a doctor thinking her hormones may be out of wack or she may be on the wrong pill. Her sweating did subside but other changes was going on, not long after she was complaining smelling, she thought she stunk and did not understand why I could not smell anything, which I truly could not. Kylie also said one pupil was bigger than the other, one rib was different and she was having nightmares, was hearing messages in the music, and had developed a sty that had become infected. I took her back to the Doctors and to write everything down so she does not forget anything and it makes it easier for the Doctor to make a diagnosis. She was given a script for anti-biotics for her sty, and another appointment to have a mole removed that she said looks ugly. I must say I did not think this was such a good idea as, if she was already feeling down about herself. I didn't think the pain of having it removed right now or having stitches to look at, and a scar, would be good for her. I said "But this is not fixing the problem that Kylie is here for and the Doctor said write down your feelings and we will look at that at your next appointment when we take the stitches out. The next appointment came and the stitches were taken out but nothing was done. I said to Kylie that's it, we have played around enough with this Doctor, and took her to another Doctor, who gave her more anti-biotic for the sty, and then asked Kylie how long has she been feeling down and her reply was "About a year", I explained to the Doctor the unusual worries about her pupils etc and that she had asked me how people gas themselves in a car, how it is done? The Doctor asked her about her thoughts on suicide but Kylie very calmly replied "I've thought about it but I'm too scared to do it". The Doctor then gave her some mild anti-depressants to take and once they start to work I will send you to see a counselor. That night Kylie was upset asking me if this was it. Will I be on tablets for the rest of my life? Is this the end of my life? I tried to comfort her and told her of course not, the Doctor is on to it right now and once things settle down you will feel more in balance and then we will go from there. My daughter told me she loves me, and thanked me and told me not to worry. The next morning my daughter was not in the house. After searching the neighbourhood I found my daughter, she had hung herself. My God, no second chance to change anything now. After which I walked into the clinic and told the receptionist to tell the Doctors in future when teens come in with problems, to fix their emotional problems first and take them seriously, and found out later that the Head Doctor in that clinic had already lost his daughter. I then heard from the other Doctor, that she was unsure because of her calmness at the time and after hearing about Kylie, had talked to a psychologist who told her that when they are calm it means they have already made up their minds up to kill themselves. Now please don't get me wrong I am not totally blaming the Doctor, but would you not think that the Head Doctor having such an experience would make sure the other Doctor working under him would know the signs and if they could not help would send you to someone who could and stress the urgency, after all he did ring me later with a phone number to a really good psychologist to take my young grieving daughter to. Now if the other Doctor had this knowledge about the calmness. I would have known the importance of having 24 hour watch assigned by my family until the medication had time needed to help her, or if the Doctor knew of this urgent sign should have had her committed to suicide watch. I have been onto a few depression sites and feel very upset that they tell you to take your loved one to a Doctor if you suspect depression. I know parents and teachers need education too, but how can depression sites give you this advice unless every Doctor is educated to the signs of this terrible affliction. I am finding it very hard to live with myself at the moment, but unless you can read minds, you cannot possibly think on the same level as loved ones with depression, and as such cannot help themselves because they are depressed. However the Doctors are supposed to be educated of the signs and then do something about it, and not just for the signs of depression, but more importantly, for the urgent signs of intended suicide. Beyond Blue have three different tests to take in which Kylies score would have been way over the score count for needed attention, yet neither of the two Doctors I took Kylie to had given her a single test. Why not? I mean this is not some new illness, as shown by www.whitewreath.com By now every Doctor should know how to diagnose this tragic affliction. But we are still told to see a Doctor if we suspect depression. God I am so crushed, it hurts every time I open my eyes the reality of losing my beautiful daughter hits me. I cannot believe I didn't do something else or take her to a psychologist, I feel like I have really let her down, What happened? I keep taking the last walk with her in my mind wondering what she was thinking? Was she Scared? Did she think I would get there in time to stop her? Did she feel so unloved? WHAT? Please help get this message across how devastating and needless suicide is if simple education and help are in place. (Tortured Mother)
17 January 2005 Logan Qld - I survived suicide. I have known other who had not been so fortunate. I feel that psychiatrists should be replaced by a team of health professionals, such as a social worker, a GP, a psychologist, and a pharmacist, (Government employee). As for my own experience I found that under the public system I became worse rather than better. At times the lack of certain professionals such as social workers led me to living off limited resources such as food. At one point in my treatment I was living on 250 mls of milk per day and half a box of cereal per week. At the same time a Registered Nurse at Logan told me "Not to sweat the small stuff" If it had not been for my family I would have starved. Moving into the private sector for better treatment meant having to borrow against the house to pay for private health insurance. Even then I had to wait 12 months because it was a pre-existing illness. The treatment I finally got beggared belief. I was receiving ECT as a regulated patient without my families knowledge, (I found after weeks of ECT that my next of kin knew nothing about it). The Doctor did not bother to get consent from my next of kin), even though it was a full three to four days before my ECT sessions began. At the same time I was forced to attend CBT sessions. With the ECT I could not remember one CBT session from another. Eventually I fled the hospital on the advice from my family. Thank God I phoned them. This was purely a case of over servicing by the hospital and the Doctor in question. You also might be interested in the meds I was prescribed. These were Parnate, Lithium, Protheidan, Valium, Stillnox, Zyprexa, Largatil. I was told much later by a pharmacist that two of these drugs were incompatible). Unbelievable, huh? But it is all documented in my charts. I suffered so many side affects that it was worse than the original depression. To make matters worse the Zyprexia that I had received in hospital was taken away from me at the time of discharge, because I did not meet the criteria under the PBS system. The withdrawal was horrific. Did I report the side affects? Yes I did. Did the Doctor take any notice? He just said it was part of my illness. Funny I did not have these symptoms before I went into hospital. During my illness I attended various drop in centres, and stepping stones clubhouse where I met a number of people, a few who are now dead. As an eye witness of the problem in our mental health "industry", I can fully appreciate the desperate moods of those with mental illness. I pray or wish for all the best for those individuals and families who struggle with mental illness and suicide. Love to ALL.
30 January 2005 Nimbin - I just wanted to put my sons name in print. It's been 10 years and I think I am the only one who remembers him! Mathew Thomas Smith 11/11/76 to 2/7/95. Peace my baby boy.
2 February 2005 Moranbah - I have had depression/anxiety for many years. Too many to remember. I came through a suicide attempt last year. And although with my medication, and, I must admit, good counseling and supportive family/friends, I still think about it, plan it, wonder about it. Luckily these days I have the strength to work through the agony and pain and unhappiness. I know I will have these thoughts again and again, but that little light at the end of the tunnel that shines on my 3 boys, fortunately pulls me through. I am one of the lucky ones, I survived. I thought I was doing the "right" thing, stopping my pain, freeing the ones you love so much from the pain as well. I wish everyone who has lost someone or who has a mental illness all the best wishes in the world. Thanks for a wonderful site.
8 March 2005 South Australia - My 23 year old brother in October 2003. It is something I will never forget, I still haven't cried over it because I don't want to feel the pain. I haven't talked to anyone that knows the same feeling, so if there is anyone out there that knows what I'm going through, please drop me a line. I would just like to hear of other peoples coping.
13 March 2005 Canberra - Hi V…… , I tried to email you, but without success. My 37 year old brother suicided just over a year ago. I found I coped with his loss much better after have a couple of sessions of counseling and by reading a little book "Coping with Grief" by Mal McKissock (available at ABC shops). Of course, I think of my brother everyday. Sometime the grief bubbles up to the surface and the feelings are just as intense as the day he died. Other times I have to put thoughts of him out of my head so I can deal with day-to-day life, and then I feel guilty about doing that. I had never been to counseling before, but I found talking to a professional very helpful. It is possible to train yourself to think in constructive ways, if your are finding that negative thoughts are overwhelming you. One of my sisters saw a counselor because she was concerned she hadn't cried since my brother died. The counselor suggested she sit facing a chair, and then to imagine my brother was sitting in it. And then to say goodbye. The idea of that was to face the reality of his death, and to let out the feelings of sadness. Counselors seem to think it is important to let the feelings out, but I'm not sure why that is. Maybe there is a way of acknowledging your feelings a little at a time, so you can cope with them. I sincerely hope you find a way to cope with your brother's loss. Of course everyone has different ways of coping, and it will take time to reach a stage where you can say you have accepted his death and can be grateful for the time you spent with him in this life.
31 March 2005 Owenton Kentucky USA - Theses Stories are really touching it is awful that people think about hurting themselves much less doing it. But sometimes not everybody receives the help that they need.
2 April 2005 Mackay - I found this site by accident today and was really moved by the stories and suffering of this disease. I am a 47 year old alcoholic and 4 years ago after trying to detox using Valiums I also tried to suicide. I walked out of my last session with my counselor, so called cured and almost drove my car into the river. It was only the love for my family that stopped me. I have always suffered from depression and drank to hide the pain. After 3 traumas, eg 1 D.v, 1 Death and September 11 I was not coping at all. So I drank until my husband forced me to detox. After the attempt I went to my wonderful doctor who suggested that the drugs were not the answer for me and suggested that I go see this great lady who specialised in intuitive massage and flower remedies. It has been a long struggle getting myself out of that deep, deep black hole, but today I am well. This lady slowly released my anger from the abuse I received as a child and I have gotten on with my life. I watch what I eat. It may all be in my head but I find if I eat bread I get depressed, so I don't. My story has given me empathy and now I am a lifeline counselor. I am horrified that there is almost no education for the public on suicide prevention. I asked my son in Year 12, if the school has ever talked to them about the signs of someone thinking about suicide and he says no. Education is the key, we must get rid of the stigma and save lives.
Proffessionals interpret the `act' to exclude difficult dangerous and political patience
7/3/2005 Thank you for your reply I have tried on a number of occasions to access the CAT team in the phsyc unit the first time I was verbally attacked by the res. doctor and when I told him to stop asking about the emotions and nightmares he said if I was not prepared to answer his questions the would not help me He admitted he had no experience in child abuse but kept harassing. The next time I saw the cat team they denied that the event had happened and I had simply lost my temper and walked out Last Thurs I decided to suicide rang the cat team and went to the unit for assessment. They told me to come back in 5 days [today] to work out a support strategy. when I arrived today they discussed a men's group not related to my type of child abuse I realized when I got home that the suicide support plan had not been discussed I rang back and they said they were not aware I was suicidal or that a support plan was the reason for the meeting I had to change councilors due to interstate politics so more stress has been added I feel now that I have been backed into a corner with no where to go The cat team are plainly incompetent and are not listening to me I am literally alone without even one person to talk to I haven't eaten in 3 weeks and sleep 3-4 hrs a night The nightmares are getting more violent and during the day the total horror of the abuse is constant All I want is one person to show compassion and do the right thing for my benefit Do I have to be brought in either unconscious or dead before someone will think .....Maybe we should have listened? I am losing the ability to make decisions and I don't really care anymore. I cannot last much longer but I am fighting hard. The first time I ask for help I get a lot of bullshit and then told it's my fault I am ready to stop fighting
T H
17/3/2005 I have informed the CAT team that I will suicide and they will not reply I have decided that next Monday night is the time it will happen I have given up, there is no reason for me to continue I will spend the remaining time remembering the places I have seen and the people I have met. Is there anyone in my area I can contact that is part of your organization I am sorry I cannot continue the fight but it is time to end the nightmares my ph no. is ……. Thank you for at least taking notice of my problem
T H
18/3/2005
Cheryl Garbutt MP, Minister for Community Services
Dr Ruth Vine, Director Mental Health
The Hon Tony Abbott MP, Minister for Health and Ageing
Below is a copy of an email sent to us by T H who is suicidal. He has desperately tried to receive help however to no avail.
It is imperative that someone contacts him and takes his threats seriously. Attached is our "Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Suicidal Behaviour and Risk asked from us by the Qld Health Dept and which a copy was sent to you last year.
Yours sincerely
Fanita Clark
President
18/3/2005 It is now 4:30 and no reply from the CAT team so it appears no reply will arrive. I can't trust them anyway so unless they offer me long term safe place I will not talk to them I have done enough talking. I have done everything asked of me for no result except a lot more trauma on top of everything else. At least no one else will suffer at the end. It will be approx. 10:pm Monday I hope the cat team take a long hard look at themselves I wonder how many other victims have suicided as a direct result of this particular team not doing their job. I hope they are made accountable at some stage in the future
T H
19/3/2005 I got a call from head of psychiatric services Victoria, I told him the situation, he rang thru Ballarat unit, I got a call from the head of the unit and will meet him Monday morning I was told that in Vic a stay of 2-3 weeks is all I can expect. That is not of any use to me as the acute crisis I face will not just go away in that period of time. At this point I am still looking at my original plan. As far as media goes, I will be out on Monday until approx 1pm then I will be home. There will then be about 9hrs left until I take the final step. The cat team is obviously totally uninterested in me now, probably as a result of your e-mail, but their whole attitude sucks What is avail as far as long term support in your area? I would move if I can find the support I need Thanks for your help
T H
20/3/2005
Cheryl Garbutt MP, Minister for Community Services
Dr Ruth Vine, Director Mental Health
The Hon Tony Abbott MP, Minister for Health and Ageing
Previous to:-
T H
His brief history approx 9 suicide attempts and the last one self immolation.
This patient is obviously good at verbalising his concerns and it is likely given his multiple attempts that he will be classed as an anti-social personality disorder ipso facto and a pest and an attention seeker not able to be helped by inpatient care.
He has been very specific about the time of the suicide 10pm Monday 21 March 2005 and has a generally negative attitude about whether the services can help him or not. He has also told us that he has threatened to kill his father.
We draw your attention to the link between suicide, murder and self harm long established and well researched.
We also draw your attention to our statement regarding poor assessment combined with "No Professional Accountability" and would also like to point out our suicide guidelines that have been sent to you in the past.
These are the two key areas that must be improved.
1. Assessment - Get it right the first time. The consequence of refusing mentally ill people care and inappropriate hospital discharge are responsible for the increase in the number of people committing suicide, murder and violence. At present assessment is almost totally reliant on a verbal question and answer basis, whereas it should be based on clinical assessment of the outward signs and symptoms of the neurological basis of mental illness; i.e. disease dysfunction of the limbic/serotonergic system.
2. Professional accountability, policies, recommendations, guidelines are only two dimensional bits of paper. Unless professionals are held directly and individually accountable nothing whatsoever will improve, because there is no incentive to improve. At present a psychiatrist can be disciplined for having an affair with a patient, but there are no consequences if a patient is refused treatment and it results in a death or multiple deaths. Frequently the same clinician, hospital or department has made exactly the same foolish mistake leading to one or more deaths after another and there is no honest follow up, examination or change in practice.
Fanita Clark
President
Attached Copy of letter:-
7 January 2005
Cherie Burton MP
Parliamentary Secretary for Health
Locked Mail Bag 961
NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059
21/3/2005 I had a meeting with the head of psych services in Ballarat, he said that admissions depend on each case needs, then he said that a stay of 3 months or more is not possible yet I met patients who had been there for over 2 months. H e is giving me the same crap as the cat team. So I guess they are not interested in helping. I told him I intend to suicide tonight but he totally ignored it. At this point I intend to suicide late tonight. I am completely relaxed about it but sad that people who can give care and support refuse to help
T H
30/3/2005 I was discharged from the unit today They offered me shock treatment and nothing else There is medication that works because I was on it in the unit. I told the doctor I was suicidal and he said if I did not tell him everything about the years of abuse then he refused to help. So I'm now at home in an unsafe environment and suicidal again I could go at any time If you can help legally I will send a letter to you this week. I intend to sue the unit and the doctor for failing in their duty of care and sending me back into an unsafe environment knowing I was suicidal PLEASE HELP ME
T H
31/3/2005
Premier
Mr Steve Bracks
Dear Premier
We have received a call of help from
T H
All correspondence in the past week from Mr T H has been forwarded to-
Cheryl Garbutt MP, Minister for Community Services
Dr Ruth Vine, Director Mental Health
The Hon Tony Abbott MP, Minister for Health and Ageing
Mr TH is in serious risk of harming himself .
We consider this matter to be treated with the utmost emergency. Mr H is a resident of Victoria and should be dealt with immediately.
Kindest regards
Fanita Clark
President
1/4/2005 Still alive. Had yet another useless talk with CAT team today. I really don't think I can keep going, I cannot get access to the unit which is a safe place for me so I think it would be best if I just fade out No one cares enough to help so I think it is only a matter of a couple of days now I think it will be best for every one
TH
3/4/2005 I couldn't get through by phone yesterday. I cannot get any help When I was in the unit no treatment was discussed except shock treatment. I refused the shrink wanted me to discuss every thing that happened during the abuse I told him that I was not prepared or ready to do that. He told me if I did not answer his questions then I could not stay in the unit .Within 15min I was kicked out. I had been refused day leave because I was suicidal yet even though I told him I was still suicidal he kicked me out. Go figure eh. My counselor is not happy The cat team have said that the unit is no longer avail to me. So I have no options left I will suicide within a couple of days. I have no reason to keep suffering like this and no safe place to go I figure 48hrs is all I have left My ph…. It is not fair that I should be forced to live in an ongoing nightmare, it is obvious no one really gives a damn and I have nothing to lose The shrink was abusive and very arrogant anyway I am sick of hearing people talking and not doing anything
TH
WE HAVE CONTACTED ALL REGARDING TH AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL HIS THREATS OF SUICIDE IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
QUESTION? WHAT OTHER LIFE THREATENING CONDITION IS ROUTINELY REFUSED HOSPTIAL ADMISSION AND/OR TREATMENT/CARE?? NONE.
WHO IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE/RESPONSIBLE IF TH DIES?
PS We have had many cases similar to TH and we felt that it is time that we inform all of our readers.