Mum helps chip away at the stigma
ZOE Hayes is on a mission to lift the stigma around depression and mental health.
‘Dust off the Depression’, an online auction, raised $4000 in much-needed funds for The Coo-Wee Ride, a mental health not-for-profit organisation that provides funds for farmers and veterans struggling with mental health issues around the country.
Zoe, a mother-of-one, has lost people she’s cared about – including her mother – to suicide and she wants it to stop.
“After my mother died of suicide, I couldn’t really understand why no one had spoken to me about mental health and suicide. Initially, when my mum passed away I was made to feel like I wasn’t allowed to say the s-word. It still baffles me,” Zoe said.
After looking into her family history, it turns out that her family members were no strangers to the Black Dog, a metaphorical representation of depression.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 3100 people died from intentional self-harm in 2017, dramatically rising 9.1 per cent from the previous year.
Zoe was almost one of those statistics.
“It wasn’t until July of 2016, when I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders – a house mortgage, car loan, toxic relationship, working eight days a week – that my health deteriorated so fast I found myself writing what was supposed to be my last mark on this world,” Zoe said.
“Honestly, death scared me, so I drove myself to the nearest hospital and begged for help. I got it and I promised myself I’d never get that low in despair ever again.
“The bush life literally saved me. I now work in the agriculture industry, but I could see farmers suffering, bosses, fellow crew members, managers, head stock persons and people surrounding me silently suffering, so I told them about my experiences.
“I want you to never forget that at some stage in your life you have made a huge impact on someone else – maybe a stranger you didn’t even realise. You are loved, you are valued, and you are needed here with us,” Zoe said.
The fight to raise awareness of depression and mental health issues continues for Zoe, who still hopes to raise around $60,000 for The Coo-Wee Ride by selling various items on her Facebook page.
Need help? Call LifeLine on 13 11 14.
❝in At some stage your life you have made a huge impact on someone else – maybe a stranger you didn’t even realise. You are loved, you are valued, and you are needed here with us.
— Zoe Hayes