Why we need to talk more of suicide

Woman searches for comfort

SHE’S tried counselling and calling a help line to no avail so a Toowoomba woman is looking for people who have travelled a similar path.

The woman, who for privacy reasons wishes to remain anonymous, lost her 24-yearold son to suicide almost 12 months ago.

Having raised three children on her own and having moved to Toowoomba from interstate to escape a domestic violence situation, she was devastated when her son took his life.

Her son had not long split up with his girlfriend and she blames social media bullying that led her son to take such a drastic step.

Now she’s looking for some comfort in others who have lost a child in a similar way.

“I’m searching for comfort, I need closure,” she said through tears.

“I’ve had counselling and I called a helpline but they didn’t even get back to me.

“I feel so alone and I need to talk to people who have walked a similar journey.”

Her son had moved back home with her and she thought all had been well enough.

“The weekend before he spent the weekend with his brother and he was so happy,” she said.

“She (the girlfriend) didn’t like his friends and so he started not hanging around with them but they had been his friends since school.

“Social media has a lot to answer for. Social media crumbled him.

“My view is that it was bullying.

“If he had just stepped back for half-an-hour I think he wouldn’t have done it but he got to a point where enough was enough.

“You hear on the TV and radio all the time about breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease but we never talk about suicide.

“I’d like to meet other people who have been in the same situation.

“Maybe we could meet for a coffee once a week or something, we don’t even have to talk about their particular circumstances but at least have a chat with someone who has been through it too.”