WHEN he was just 19 years old, Port Macquarie man Luke Anderson lost his mum to suicide. It led him on a path of uncertainty that almost cost him his life.
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Years later, Luke would have his life rocked again by a motorcycle accident that almost killed him.
Content in his home town, he has just secured the role of Lifeline’s Regional Youth Ambassador.
The role will see him go into schools, do workshops and spend face to face time with young people in the area.
Suicide is the leading cause of death in Australia at the moment. About eight people a day commit suicide. That is a statistic Luke would like to decrease.
“Depression is something I’ve dealt with personally. Losing mum to suicide had a butterfly effect. It sent me off on a whole other journey around the world,” he said.
“It left me in a couple of dark places throughout my life. About two years ago I had a severe motorbike accident that nearly took my life. I was very blessed to survive.
“That was my turning point I guess. I made a big decision to give away a six figure salary to look after myself and be more conscious and mindful of my actions.”
Due to the events of the past decade, Luke has had an opportunity to pass on warnings to the youth of Port Macquarie and to make a difference in his community.
“I’ve taught kids about safety, and through that I have been offered the position to work with youth and combat something that is close to my heart,” he said.
“To help the community of Port Macquarie, my hometown, is very special. It’s an honour.
“Lifeline are an amazing organisation. Preservation of life is an amazing thing and it is within all of us to go that extra mile to help out your comrades.”
Luke would like to see a change in attitude from the people of Port Macquarie – and Australia.
“If people seem a little off or a little different, instead of just being blasé about it be brave enough to ask questions to your friends,” he said.
“If they seem a bit down it isn’t hard to ask if they are ok, and if they have been contemplating suicide.
“It’s something I feel gets swept under the rug in Australia. To have 65,000 a year attempt to commit suicide is a huge problem and we need to look after each other and our mates.”
He is halfway through doing some study, which gives him a more of an educated view on how to combat suicide. He is also training with Lifeline.
“The long term goal is to be the national ambassador for Lifeline, and to combat something that I lost my mother from - and that almost took my life at one stage,” he said.
“I found after my accident that the whole community got together. To see them all get together for my support made me want to give back.
“I’m super stoked to be able to give something back, like people did to me.
“If you do anything for your heart it’s the right thing. Money doesn’t buy happiness, love does.”