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DIRECTORS REPORT
The White Wreath Association has been long awaited as is obvious from the support we are receiving. We are growing from strength to strength and we will be force to reconcile with.
I wish to thank Committee, family, members and the strong community/ Australia wide support we are receiving. Without each and every one of you we would not be where we are today. A special thank you must go to Susie Whitton Co-ordinator Townsville Office and Madonna Palmer Co-ordinator Perth Office. Your dedication and hard work has been of the utmost importance and I thank you both.
The ABS statistics have finally been released. Suicided comes under many categories however the main is -INTENTIONAL SELF-HARM AND SYMPTOMATIC MENTAL DISORDERS THAT TOTAL 4436 DEATHS IN A YEAR. These figures as sad as it may be are finally portraying the truth of the seriousness of SUICIDE/MENTAL DISORDERS that is plaguing our lucky country.
Together we can help curb these disastrous results by you sending letters and photographs. Each and everyone of us who has had suicide within our families or has had/or has someone suffering a mental disorder know too well that the system we have in place today is not working. We have had to endure lack of services and help before and after a loved one has suicided. Only with these stories can we hope to make changes to this devastation of suicide. Suicide is like a modern day cancer. Everyone knows of someone that either has been personally touched or a friend of a friend. If we want changes to be made we must fight together. All the stories are used as a research base……an untampered base. No personal details are ever divulged.
The White Wreath association on your behalf will put and end to the unacceptable high levels of suicide. Facts, which have been hidden for years, will be published and the cover up of this atrocity will be known. We will focus Government attention that suicide/mental disorders must be recognised as a serious illness and to be treated like any other serious condition that is in our society today. We will emphasise the urgent need that Action Against Suicide must be implemented immediately. Then and only then will the myths and stigmas clouding this illness disappear.
Once again on behalf of the White wreath Association I wish to thank each and every one of you.
I look forward in hearing from you.
Fanita Clark
Director
Mr Craig Emerson Federal Member Rankin, Dorothy Pratt MLA Member for Baramba, Mrs, Mike Kaiser MLA Member for Woodridge, Mr Jeff Knuth State Member for Burdekin, Mr Ken Turner Member for Thuringowa, Rod Welford MLA Member for Everton Park, Mr Dick Adam Federal Member Lyons TAS,Kay Elson Federal Member for Forde,
Carmen Fisher - Browns Plains Hotel, Dave Mac Browns Plains-Bunnings, Zupps - Mr Wal Haddock, Grand Plaza - Melinda Hope, QFDA, AFDA, Pop Mart - Angie, Logan City Council, QSuper, Craig Clements-Main Freight Distributors, Jupiters Casion Benefit Fund, Logan City Herald, Richard Kwong, Vetran Affairs State President-Mr Ray De Vere, Kevin Darch, Graham Baker Port Augusta SA.
Fathers Day
I am 41, and I have four sons 18,16,11 and 7. On Father's Day, my husband, and the father of my children suicided by shooting himself through the roof of his mouth. We lived on a few acres in a rural area and no one heard the shot. Approximately 10 minutes after he suicided, my middle-aged sone went looking for his father. It was dark and my son took a torch. He walked up to his fathers truck where he thought he would be and the sight he found will be etched in his mind forever more.
The local police, police from town, CBD and ambulance all arrived at our house within minutes. At the insistence of the ambulance we were all taken to the General hospital. There we found a Social Worker waiting for us. My youngest son slept through the whole ordeal awakening in the hospital. That same night on the way home I had to tell my youngest son that his daddy wasn't going to be there anymore, that he had shot himself and was dead.
After that night, we never heard from that social Worker again.
My 2 younger sons were attending a state Primary School. The lack of support they endured was woeful. One of my son's teachers found out about the suicide in the playground before the Principal found time to inform her. She then had to go and try and find some books that would best help her handle telling the other children and how to deal with it.
Everyday my children came home in tears. "Mummy, kids asked me today if Daddy shot himself." I'd ask him what he said and he would tell me he said `No'. I told him he needed to say `Yes'. The last straw came when finally I could not endure anymore. Seeing my children coming home from school after being constantly teased about the suicide of their father,
I made and appointment to see the Principal to ask why haven't the children in their class been spoken to so as they have a better understanding.
The reply was, :I couldn't possibly allow that, I would have parents up in arms talking about suicide". I nearly laughed in his face. I explained you gladly educate children about drugs, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases etc etc what's the difference
The suicide was only the beginning, what followed and still goes on is domino effect of situations that we have to deal with one at a time. To begin with, I didn't, even have enough money for the funeral. Only through a caring local funeral director he advised me of funeral assistance.
With debts incurred in both our names I became totally responsible. I had to declare bankruptcy. I had no other choice.
The boys and I have moved into town and have now started our lives anew. It's not easy, emotionally, financially or any other way, and every day that something happens to one of my boys that effects them from the suicide of their father, it rips me apart inside. The saddest thing for them is that they will never forget, every Fathers Day they will remember for the rest of their lives.
ü The political correct term Mental Illness covers a wide range of illnesses eg: Depression, Anxiety Attacks, Paranoia, Schizophrenia, Severe Depression, Bipolar, Personality Disorders etc.
ü The White Wreath Association is not about to try and change this term. This is a separate issue in itself.
ü It's a pity when the word Mental Illness is used most people associate this term with "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: and we know this is far from the truth. This movie has had a huge impact and contributed to our way of thinking towards Mental Illness. This movie has helped create the myths and stigmas associated with mental illness is obvious in the way most people think and Government know and play on this very issue.
ü The White Wreath Association does not and will never segregate male, female, age or culture. We do not discriminate against anyone; What a man or youth is going through with the system, so is a woman or young female. We are collating our own research and find no difference what so ever in gender. They are both mishandled regardless of their age, culture or religious beliefs.
Phone call and letters the White Wreath Association are receiving
· Call from a mother very concerned about her daughter Kate 25. He daughter constantly is talking of suicide. Mother does not know what to do and can't handle the situation. Kate has punched and threatened to kill her mother. Mother is not only afraid for herself but for her daughter. Mother feels helpless. Mother can't cope anymore with her daughters abuse, mood swings, and threats. Mother feels ashamed that she wishes it would end. Mother feels isolated and alone. Mother can't find any help. No service in place to help Daughter or Mother to cope with what is happening. CONFIDENTIALITY LAW EXCLUDES MOTHER TO INTERVENE OR USE HER (MOTHER) AS A KNOWLEDGE SOURCE TO HELP HER DAUGHTER
· Son 19 years of age attempted suicide. Rushed to hospital. Released after a few days. Threatened to kill himself on several occasions after being released. Family tried to seek help. Discovered no services in place what so ever. Family pleas for help ignored. Found dead 2 months later.
· Male aged 33 attempted to kill himself with overdose of alcohol/medication. Found and rushed to hospital. Released 2 days later. Found dead 1 week later.
· Woman rang concerned about her daughter. Daughter has 2yr old child and is constantly talking of killing herself and her 2yr old daughter. Tried to intervene by seeking help for this woman. 1st phone call was informed the psychiatrist's only works Monday, Wednesday morning and Friday. 2nd phone call there is nothing we can do unless she is assessed. 3rd phone call because a family member did not ring we can't help you. Ask woman to contact us. 4th Phone call, office hours closed after 5pm………please ring this number. (Case history of woman:- brother suicided, auntie suicided her own mother suffers severe depression and has attempted suicide. NO QUESTIONS EVER ASKED OF HER MENTAL STATE OR FAMILY HISTORY.
THE FIRST AND LAST SCENARIO BOTH INDICATE THE INADEQUACY OF THE SYSTEM. Whether you are a mother, father, relative, carer or friend you are unable to intervene.
Wish List
We have dedicated this section as a wish list. This list is of all the things the association needs to help us along. If you can help with any of the items listed or donate anything else please let us know we would appreciate any contribution big or small.
l Stationary and Office supplies l Someone Anywhere in Aust to
l Stamps design & maintain a Web page
l Avery Laser Labels (16 labels per page) l Assist secretary to volunteer a few
l Paperclips hours a week
l Staples
l Envelopes
l Fax paper/ Photocopy paper
}It is much more important to know what sort of patient has a disease than what sort of disease a patient has~
William Osler
Did You Know in 1999
2492 PEOPLE DIED OF INTENTIONAL SELF-HARM
(2,002 MALES / 490 FEMALES)
1,944 PEOPLE DIED OF ORGANIC INCLUDING SYMPTOMATIC MENTAL DISORDERS
(648 MALES / 1296 FEMALES)
TOTAL 4436
DEFINITION OF UNDERLYING CAUSES.
A. THE DISEASE OR INJURY WHICH INITIATED THE TRAIN OF MORBID EVENTS LEADING DIRECTLY TO DEATH.
B. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACCIDENT OR VIOLENCE WHICH PRODUCED THE FATAL INJURY.
EXAMPLES OF INCLUSIONS IS:- PARANOIA, SCHIZOPHRENIA, DEPENDANCE SYNDROME (DRUG & ALCOHOL), HARMFUL USE (HEAVY DOSES), DEPRESSIVE DISORDER, NEUROTIC & STRESS RELATED DISORDERS ETC ETC
SUICIDE RANKS IN THE TOP 10 DEATHS IN AUSTRALIA
2,011 PEOPLE DIED FROM ROAD ACCIDENTS IN TOTAL
DEPRESSION IS NOT ONLY A MAJOR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE IT IS A DISEASE OF MAJOR & GROWING PROPORTIONS, WHICH ACCORDING TO THE WHO (WORLD BANK GLOBAL DISEASE PROJECT) WILL BE THE SECOND LARGEST CAUSE OF YEARS OF LIFE LOST DUE TO DISABILITY & MORTALITY IN THE YEAR 2020
*FIGURES SUPPLIED BY BUREAU OF STATISTICS
2000? STATISTIC UNAVAILABLE
This Couls save a Life:
1) If a loved one is suffering a Mental illness in any form, shape or size and seeing a Doctor, Psychiatrist or Psychologist in Private Practice or through the public mental health system at NO stage ever leave your loved one alone. Always be present during every consultation or assessment of your loved one.
2) Make sure your loved one understands that you should be present, as you must have his/her permission.
3) Make sure notes are taken during these visits, Record Date, Time, Doctor/Psychiatrist and outcome of consultation or assessment. ASK QUESTIONS.
To combat any of the above you can seek Power of Attorney. These forms are available from your newsagents for approximately $6.00. this will ensure that you have every legal right to be present at your loved ones appointments.
These forms need to be signed by your loved one and yourself or carer in the presence of a Justice of the Peace.
IF A LOVED ONE HAS DIED THROUGH SUICIDE YOU ARE ENTITLED TO ASK IN WRITING FOR:
1) Coroners Inquest (through Coroner)
2) Post Mortem Report/Autopsy Report
3) Toxicology Report
4) Complaint through Health Rights Commission
5) Should you not be financial enough to pay for the funeral, there is funeral assistance (see your funeral director for this)
yyANY QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT THE WHITE WREATH ASSOCIATION INCpo.
The White Wreath Association was founded to create an awareness to the serious issue of mental illness and the need to address it appropriately and immediately.
Also to create awareness that there is a need to support and educate the families and carers of people with mental illness so that they are better prepared and able to support and care for their loved ones.
Reminding Government and the whole of Australia that every life is precious. The these people are not just statistics, but were dearly loved human beings, loved by their family and friends
CANBERRA 8th November 2000
This was a highly successful day with many politicians coming out to attend the White Wreath Association Memorial Service. Mr Beazley again attended and was a guest speaker. Other guest speakers included Ms Jenny Macklin shadow Minister for Health, Mr Craig Emerson Federal Member for Rankin, Mr Joel Fitzgibbon federal Member for Hume, Anglican Bishop George Browning and the Master of Ceremonies Mr Jeremy Pyner Secretary of the Trades and Labour council Canberra and myself. Coverage was on all news channels in Canberra, also in the newspapers and radio.
Mr Simon Crean said "Fanita we are listening and we will do what we can" Others followed all repeating the same line.'
I can honestly say that in the last 12 months since we were in Canberra nothing has improved. In fact the system has become worse. In my speech amongst other things I said "Mental illness/suicide must be recognised as a serious illness as you would for any other condition. And YES mental illness can kill. Like what happened to my son and the thousands that die every year through suicide. The real prejudice in mental illness is not taking the illness seriously. Any other medical condition where a person showed warning signs there would be immediate admission to hospital. For example Heart Attack, Stroke, Respiratory Arrest, Serious Accidents, Blood Loss etc. today people who suffer mental illness and have suicidal tendencies in most cases are denied hospital treatment. If an attempted suicide occurs these people may remain in hospital for a day or two if their lucky then discharged without any follow up treatment.
On this day Perth Co-ordinator Madonna Palmer also held a White Wreath Memorial Service in front of the State Parliament Building in Perth to coincide with the Canberra event. This was also very successful and praise must be given to the group of volunteers who organised this in such a short period of time.
WHITE WREATH DAY WILL BE A NATIONAL DAY ON 29TH MAY EVERY YEAR.
THIS HAS BEEN FORMALISED BY WHITE WREATH DAY BEING ADDED IN THE EVENTS CALENDER OF 2001.
Perth Office Update:
I am the mother of a young man, who at 19 years of age took his own life. Damien died on the 29.10.99. One year has turned my life irreversibly, unconnected to what I was before October last year. Suicide, where is my opponent? Some days I feel I can rise to meet the challenge. Yet on most days of this past year I find I'm fighting something unseen. Where is my opponent? I look in every direction to find each turn empty. There id no one there with death by suicide, you are in this fight alone. If I could bring one word into the open, out of the dark, it would be suicide. We have gone beyond this being a taboo subject. Every 3 hours in Australia there is a death by suicide. For our young peoples very lives we nee to bring this silent opponent into the light of discussion. I personally did not have any idea, my son had even a suicidal thought. Since that date, I have felt as if I am the wrong shape for the jigsaw that is my life. What is my alternative but to carry on? Suicide has now overtaken car accidents Australia wide. With some of those accidents suspected suicides, this would make the figure ever greater. 8 out of 10 people tell someone they intend to suicide. It is what they do with the information given at that crucial time. This is why we need not be afraid to say Suicide. No discussion at all is obviously not working. The numbers are increasing at an alarming rate. Of all the people I have met through suicide groups, I realise however, some people will still go on to die by suicide, despite the best efforts of family and friends. I have come to understand then if family and friends have done what they can do to help, they should feel no guilt or blame themselves. This is one of the hardest aspects of dealing with the aftermath of suicide for us all. Please do not stay silent Suicide is a tragic loss for the whole family, friends and community. It is not shameful, weak or selfish, such deaths evoke great sadness for those left behind.
I would like to share the words of a song by Puff Daddy we played at Damien's service.
Life ain't what it seems to be
Words can't express what you mean to me
Even though you're gone we're still team
Through your family, I fulfil your dreams
If you open up the gates for me
Reminisce sometime
Like they took my friend
Try to black it out
But it plays again
When this real feelings hard to conceal
Can't imagine all the pain I feel
Give anything to hear half your breath
I know your still living your life after death
Everystep I take, every move I make
Every single day, everytime I pray
I'll be missing you
Thinking of the day you went away
What a life to take what a bound to break
I'll be missing you
Donna Palmer in loving memory of her son Damien.
Jeff & Donna Palmer organised the inaugural White Wreath Memorial Service in Perth, WA on 8th November 2000 as Parliament House. The day was planned to coincide with the service in Canberra, organised by Fanita Clark, who through the loss of her own son founded the Association.
The event in Canberra laid 3000 Wreaths signifying deaths by suicide for the previous year. Perth's Service in Canberra was successful in that each State Political Party was represented with the Heath Minister john Day, Opposition leader Dr Geoff Gallop, Leader of the Democrats, Mr Kelly, Mr Jim Scott Leader of the Greens addressing the crowd.
We considered the Service was well supported with all Parties approached more than willing to offer time and assist in the any way possible. Unions WA General Secretary Mr Tony Cook supplied tables and seating. Talk show host Mr Paul Murray of radio station 6PR aired my own as well as two other grieving women's stories and advertised the day for us. Having only found out about Fanita and the association five weeks previously we managed with the help of the Labour Senator for WA officer Mr Stephen Dawson to contact all relevant people.
`Anglican Bishop, Rev Dr John Sheppard was representative of the church with a closing prayer. Channel Ten and West Australian Newspaper covered the event. Fanita Clark's work in the eastern States of Australia has resulted in an increase in the awareness of suicide, more recently, a grant of nearly $3,000,000.00 towards suicide prevention including & 8,000,000.00 for Western Australia. Despite this, publicity has been minimal in WA. Our hope is that with the success of the first White Wreath Memorial, open and continuous discussion of suicide can lead to awareness, prevention and over coming the stigma and discomfort associated with suicide.
As you can see, I feel very strongly about this subject. This relates to the recent loss of my own sine nineteen years through suicide. The Memorial is planned for the 29th May 2001 in WA along with the other States of Australia. Expectations for the next service are for dignified representation of those grieving a loved one lost through suicide. A day aside to show there is a family behind the statistics.
Donna Palmer Co-ordinator
Perth WA Office
Ph (08) 94098279
FUNDRAISING
Come along and join the fun of a Car Rally, bring your team and your car. All proceeds go to White Wreath Association.
Cost : $25.00 per car Date: Sun 25th March 2001
Time: 10am in front of Myer at the Logan Hyperdome Shopping Centre
Finish: Daisy Hill State Forest
There will be a sausage sizzle at Daisy Hill State Forest supplied by White wreath Association for all participants, so bring along your drinks and anything else you would like to eat and have a picnic with us.
Prize for the winning car
Lucky door prize to be drawn at the sausage sizzle
What you need to bring
Street Directory
Lots of water
To book or for more details contact the White Wreath Association on (07) 38031266.
YOU WILL NOTICE THAT WE HAVE ATTACHED 10 RAFFLE TICKETS TO THE NEWS LETTER. THESE ARE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE WHITE WREATH ASSOCIATION SO WE CAN KEEP HOLDING OUR MEMORIAL SERVICES. THE COST IS $1.00 PER TICKET.
ALL WE ASK IS THAT YOU SELL THESE TICKETS AND SEND THE BUTTS & MONEY BACK TO US WITH THE NAME AND CONTACT PHONE NUMBER OF THE PERSON WHO BOUGHT THEM BY 28 FEBRUARY.
THE PRIZE IS $50.00 TO THE WINNER AND IT WILL BE DRAWN 1 MARCH (WINNER WILL BE ADVISED VIA TELEPHONE AND PUBLISHED IN NEXT NEWSLETTER)
SEND TO:
WHITE WREATH ASSOC
PO BOX 1078
BROWNS PLAINS QLD 4118