If nothing’s going right, Go Left
MENTAL illness has exacted a terrible toll on Kalissa Dwyer’s family and friends.
When she was 11 years old her father suicided, and since then, the count of people she knew who have taken their own lives has only increased, including two in the past six months.
Now, Kalissa, her partner Fred Wagner and his sister Taylor have banded together to organise the Go Left Gala to raise money for LIVIN, a mental health organisation.
Ms Dwyer said she’d written out “an entire notepad of names” for the event, before eventually settling on “Go Left”, a nod to the saying, “when you feel like nothing is going right, go left”.
“That was fitting... because there’s always another option,” she said.
Mr Wagner said “not everyone feels comfortable” talking about mental health, which was why he got involved.
The trio is planning on inviting guest speakers and entertainment to the event at Blank Space, where manager Phil Coorey has sponsored the venue hire. The gala is set for April 14. Tickets to the black-tie event are $165 per person, which includes a three-course meal and drinks.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite.com.au by seraching “Go left gala aus” or by emailing goleftaus@outlook.com. If this story has raised issues for you, please phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.