Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. I don't, particularly given our euthanasia laws, think that all suicide is wrong. However, it is such a final decision that I hope it is not the first option considered or tried. And, as a solution to a temporary problem I do think it is wrong. And it is always a tragedy. A tragedy for the person who had, or believed they had, no other options and a tragedy for those they leave behind.
I spend time in dark places myself. I have, and probably will again, considered suicide, and have come very close to taking that final step. It seemed at the time to not only be the logical way to stop my emotional and mental pain but that it would also be better (and a relief) for the people I loved if they no longer had to deal with/put up with me. I have heard people dismiss suicide as a selfish act, and I suppose it could be (though I haven't seen it and doubt it), but I think it is much more often an expression of intolerable physical, mental and/or emotional pain. And, as an aside, many of the people making the selfish claim appear to be angry that something has been taken away from them. Who is wearing the selfish hat now?
Neither do I think it a cowardly decision. People chose to end their lives for a variety of reasons. I suspect that depression and loneliness are common triggers. Depression is an exhausting soul sucker and a powerful and convincing liar. And in cahoots with so many other negatives to abolish hope - which is both fragile and essential.
Most of you know I do voluntary work with Lifeline Australia, a telephone crisis line. Almost everyone who rings those lines with thoughts of suicide has at least a degree of ambivalence. I, and all the other volunteers, will work on that ambivalence to keep the caller safe for the moment/the day and to help them see and consider other options. Lifeline believes that suicide is often preventable and that the start of the journey to safety can be only a phone call away. It is often a long and painful journey but should never be one that people feel condemned to walk alone.
Here in Australia suicide is still the leading cause of death for people aged under 44. More people die from suicide each year than are killed on the roads. Sadly the numbers of people we lose to suicide are rising again.
In 2011 Lifeline began national suicide prevention walks - 'Out of the Shadows and into the Light'. Symbolically, the walks begin before dawn and continue into the growing light. The aim is to help raise awareness of suicide prevention and encourage people to seek help. In addition it remembers those lost and those bereaved by suicide.
I couldn't attend the first walk, but have gone on the subsequent walks. I made a commitment to myself that I would line up this year as well. Which saw me heading off before dawn this morning.
This year we again started from our National War Memorial and did a loop down Anzac Parade towards Lake Burley Griffin and back to the War Memorial. Our Parliament House is directly opposite on the other side of the lake.
Come walk with me, through the damp and cloudy dawn, into the light of a new day.
Tomorrow is RU OK day. A question we should be asking every day.
I spend time in dark places myself. I have, and probably will again, considered suicide, and have come very close to taking that final step. It seemed at the time to not only be the logical way to stop my emotional and mental pain but that it would also be better (and a relief) for the people I loved if they no longer had to deal with/put up with me. I have heard people dismiss suicide as a selfish act, and I suppose it could be (though I haven't seen it and doubt it), but I think it is much more often an expression of intolerable physical, mental and/or emotional pain. And, as an aside, many of the people making the selfish claim appear to be angry that something has been taken away from them. Who is wearing the selfish hat now?
Neither do I think it a cowardly decision. People chose to end their lives for a variety of reasons. I suspect that depression and loneliness are common triggers. Depression is an exhausting soul sucker and a powerful and convincing liar. And in cahoots with so many other negatives to abolish hope - which is both fragile and essential.
Most of you know I do voluntary work with Lifeline Australia, a telephone crisis line. Almost everyone who rings those lines with thoughts of suicide has at least a degree of ambivalence. I, and all the other volunteers, will work on that ambivalence to keep the caller safe for the moment/the day and to help them see and consider other options. Lifeline believes that suicide is often preventable and that the start of the journey to safety can be only a phone call away. It is often a long and painful journey but should never be one that people feel condemned to walk alone.
Here in Australia suicide is still the leading cause of death for people aged under 44. More people die from suicide each year than are killed on the roads. Sadly the numbers of people we lose to suicide are rising again.
In 2011 Lifeline began national suicide prevention walks - 'Out of the Shadows and into the Light'. Symbolically, the walks begin before dawn and continue into the growing light. The aim is to help raise awareness of suicide prevention and encourage people to seek help. In addition it remembers those lost and those bereaved by suicide.
I couldn't attend the first walk, but have gone on the subsequent walks. I made a commitment to myself that I would line up this year as well. Which saw me heading off before dawn this morning.
This year we again started from our National War Memorial and did a loop down Anzac Parade towards Lake Burley Griffin and back to the War Memorial. Our Parliament House is directly opposite on the other side of the lake.
Come walk with me, through the damp and cloudy dawn, into the light of a new day.
Tomorrow is RU OK day. A question we should be asking every day.
Some numbers which may be useful for Australian readers include:
Lifeline 1311 14
Beyond Blue
Suicide Call Back Service 
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