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DIRECTORS REPORT

May 2008

29 May National White Wreath Day – In Remembrance of All Victims of Suicide is fast approaching Suicide statistics are over two years behind when they are released.

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, friend, work colleague etc 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 their surviving families?

Here in Australia families are losing husbands, wives, 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.

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?

Please attend a service on the 29 May and remember those that have lost their lives by tragic means or be there to support those families that have to grieve in silence and cope alone.

Fanita Clark
CEO