Latest figures show that for the first time more than 3000 Australians died last year of suicide and the latest figures show suicide is at a 10 year high.
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Sadly suicide rates have never been higher for men aged 15 to 44. Men are now taking their lives at 3 times the rate of women. We are in the terrible situation of knowing that at least every three hours a fellow Australian will take their life.
We are urging all readers to be aware that if you think somebody around you is having difficulties, please reach out to them and ask if you can lend a hand. Look for signs that somebody might be in trouble. Listening always helps.
We are calling for more education on suicide because it is clear many men and women are struggling and aren’t always sure what to do next. It is hard to ask for help.
We are also calling on the community to help us wipe away the stigma around suicide. Unquestionably some people still feel a sense of ‘shame’ around this topic and this simply needs to change.
If you know somebody who has a mental health issue, urge them to speak up and ask for help.
Rob Ramjan, AM
CEO, Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW Inc.
Make the change
Here are three humble ideas for mental health month, one for each of my three children who were born and have grown up in Port Macquarie.
- Let’s spend less time looking for mental illness in our loved ones and contain bio medical diagnostic criteria to the clinic room.
- Let’s show wisdom in spending public money by minimising waste on resources which already exist and are accessible on the internet.
- Let’s remember things that are wonderful and work in communities like art, music, beauty, dancing, poetry, fun, nature, sport, diversity, animals, volunteering, slower pace, social justice and friendship.
Sunflowers are flowers I love, grow and gave a long time before they became a symbol for mental health services.
They mean something to me that can’t be sold or bought. Some things are meant to just be cherished for their own unique beauty, for me this includes people.
This October I would like to mention the wise man from a rural supplies place in Port Macquarie who explained and showed us the Fibonacci pattern in a sunflower.
He gave some Black Russian sunflower seeds to my children and we have in turn given them to others.
Sandy Hart
Port Macquarie
What a dilemma
What a dilemma for the National Party now facing a crisis.
Does the State leader, Troy Grant, blindly support Mike Baird the leader of the senior party in the coalition?
The National representatives are hearing from their constituents that they will no longer vote for the Nationals at the next election if the Nationals go ahead with the ban.
How does the party resolve this dispute?
The rank and file representatives can overthrow the leader by challenging his leadership and voting in a more representative leader.
Or does Mike Baird have to back down on his opposition to greyhound racing? We will know the result of this interesting tussle by the end of the week.
Even if they fix this greyhound fiasco, Wauchope Station no longer has a ticket seller and the elderly passengers have to go online to book.
Regional and rural hospital privitisation will also erode the National support base.
How does the National Party resolve these disputes?
Alastair Fournel
Port Macquarie