‘Second chance at good life’

Donna to share inspiring story with Toowoomba

ONE moment can change everything in the blink of an eye, but the inspiring guest speaker of an upcoming event is proof that storms will pass.

In 2012, it seemed like Donna Thistlethwaite had it all at surface level.

With a loving partner, mum to a two-year-old son and successful HR professional – Ms Thistlethwaite was bubbly and had never received a mental health diagnosis.

So when loved ones heard she had attempted to take her own life when she jumped off the Story Bridge in Brisbane and fell 40m, the wave of shock was as intense as the devastation.

Fortunately she survived and will now share her heartbreaking, but inspirational story at the Unleash the Beast event next March.

“It was very surreal, but I felt like I had lost touch with reality and my thoughts were separated from me,” Ms Thistlethwaite said.

“My experience was thinking about my loved ones, but it didn’t cross my mind that I would be leaving them behind … I actually thought they deserved better and they’d be better off without me.”

Returning to work parttime, from maternity leave, the mum-of-one was facing many challenges.

Moving into a new role and wrapping her head around a new technology system, Ms Thistlethwaite had already triggered insecurities, which were set off further following a confrontation with a colleague.

Feeling alone, her head began working against her, feeding her insecurities and telling her that she was a hopeless failure who would likely lose her job, despite excelling at work.

It took a lot of strength and time for Ms Thistlethwaite to heal and while she still has bad days, she now recognises the signs.

“A nurse told me that if I had completed suicide, my son would be twice as more likely to commit suicide and from that moment, I knew it wasn’t an option, because I could never do that to my son,” she said.

“I remember a few years ago I was putting my son to bed on his eighth birthday and I burst into tears, because it hit me that I could have missed seeing this beautiful little boy grow up.”

Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland has partnered with Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN to deliver Unleash the Beast.

The two-day event will be held on March 12 and 13.

For more information, visit unleashthebeast.net.au.

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR GP OR PHONE LIFELINE ON 13 11 14.