SUICIDE is a topic often avoided in conversation – a word many fear of even mentioning in case they hurt someone’s feelings.
However, according to local father John Klomp, speaking about it is the only way to create awareness and reduce the stigma still expressed by far too many people.
In Australia, suicide is the leading cause of death for those between 15 and 44 years of age with more than 2500 people taking their own lives each year.
Two years ago, Mr Klomp’s son Adam was one of those thousands and now, hoping to reduce that number, he is calling on the local community to come together and help spread awareness.
“I think sadly suicide awareness is on the back burner – it should not take someone losing their life to suicide for it to be talked about,” he said.
“To create awareness we have to bring discussions into the community and treat it like Mental Health Week or R U OK? Day.”
Encouraging different mental health and suicide prevention organisations to work together to provide services and advice to those suffering, Mr Klomp said maybe then we might be able to change the trend.
“I do not think we will ever prevent suicide altogether, as sad as it is, but I think over time we should be able to get a better understanding of it,” he said.
“The voice is the most powerful thing we have in society.”
Remembering that terrible and heartbreaking day two years ago, Mr Klomp said it has been a tough and emotionally draining journey.
“I know at times my son had mentally given up, the process to speak to doctors about how he was feeling was long and confusing,” he said.
“He said to me one day ‘Dad I just cannot explain it anymore’.
“We were very close and I knew he was struggling, but I never thought he would take his own life.
“I think it got to a point where he just put the lid on and that’s when he became the most vulnerable.”
Attending a number of events in Mount Gambier recently organised to raise awareness of mental health and suicide, Mr Klomp said there was still more that must be done.
“I spoke to a number of people about the events afterwards and many did not even know they were happening,” he said.
“Mental health and suicide are connected and they need to be treated that way when spreading awareness.
“Events such as R U OK? Day are fantastic, but I think we should invite other organisations into it as well so people have a choice of different services to make use of.”
Mr Klomp also suggested creating a shop front in the Blue Lake city where people of any age or background affected by suicide could take some time out and talk about how they were feeling.
“I know we have some other places like that, but I think we need something a bit more relaxed where people can just pop in at any time, have a cup of coffee and chat to some volunteers,” he said.
“People are very scared to even confront the issue, they are afraid to approach it because they do not know how to speak about it.
“This needs to be changed and I think we will have a bigger impact if we all work together.”
StandBy Support After Suicide will host a time for reflection in Mount Gambier at the Reflective Garden at Vansittart Park from 5.30pm today, held in conjunction with International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.
Lifeline’s 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services are available on 131 114 and StandBy Support After Suicide on 0437 752 458.
