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Vale Adam Selwood

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As a society we chronically underfund mental health at all levels of government and as people in the community we don't talk about it enough and support each other enough. These are both things that need to change if we want to stop this many people dying and lacking quality of life.
 
As a society we chronically underfund mental health at all levels of government and as people in the community we don't talk about it enough and support each other enough. These are both things that need to change if we want to stop this many people dying and lacking quality of life.
Mental health is talked about through public campaigns all the time.
 
Mental health is talked about through public campaigns all the time.

It's not spoken about often enough, more needs to be done and not just a token tick box "R U OK day" exercise.
Again it's a very sensitive issue that needs to be highlighted in a way that doesn't make people feel worse about themselves.
 

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It's not spoken about often enough, more needs to be done and not just a token tick box "R U OK day" exercise.
Again it's a very sensitive issue that needs to be highlighted in a way that doesn't make people feel worse about themselves.
Are you actually aware of what RUOK is about?Its encouraging people through instructions about how to have mental health related coversatioms with others.

That's practical, not tokenistic.
 
Mental health is talked about through public campaigns all the time.

It's not campaigns we need it's better investment in both preventative health measures and ongoing treatment. Until we get to a point for example where we have no Medicare gap fee access to psychology and counselling (beyond the standard 10 visits etc) and better investment in community mental health services (not just in metropolitan cities but across the country) for example then we aren't doing the right things to try and make a difference. And we need to change the culture and the way mental health is talked about-it still stays far too much in the shadows.
 
Just saw part of Craig McRae's press conference. Really puts into perspective how heartbreaking this is. Made me very emotional.
somehow, they were able to keep the real reason why Scott was not at the game today from the players until after the game. I dont know how the other coaches got through the day.
 
It's not spoken about often enough, more needs to be done and not just a token tick box "R U OK day" exercise.
Again it's a very sensitive issue that needs to be highlighted in a way that doesn't make people feel worse about themselves.
To be honest, it needs to be highlighted boldly alongside Pride/Mardi Gras month and Indigenous Round. There needs to be a Mental Health Week and have pre game and celebrations. AFL is fanastic at promoting Gather Round and Sir Nichols Round. It’s time to promote such a hidden issue.

It doesn’t get spoken enough.
 

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I'm not too proud to mention that I needed help a few years back - not suicidal, but feeling overwhelmed with life, work, family, expectations of myself etc. Was the best thing I ever did, allowing me to see myself for who I am and to be one who always (almost always) look for the positives and the best in people, no matter how small.

So hey everyone, don't be ashamed. Talk. Seek assistance. It helps...........
 
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There are good psychologists and bad psychologists, thousands out there who will listen to you talk about what hell on earth your life is and how you dream about killing yourself all day then say. "Here's a piece of paper, write down 3 things you like about yourself, see you in 2 weeks!"

This is why all the performance stuff around "we need to talk about mental health!" JuSt TaLk T0 SoMeOnE is so dangerous. Really depressed people talk to someone, it's a complete waste of time, they think they are beyond help and end it
 
As a society we chronically underfund mental health at all levels of government and as people in the community we don't talk about it enough and support each other enough. These are both things that need to change if we want to stop this many people dying and lacking quality of life.
We can fund mental health more and more and that’s ok. But that is addressing the symptoms once people are getting into that unhealthy state.
There needs to be much more prevention. Thinking patterns need to be addressed from an early age, we’ve become much too emotional as a society these last two generations. And we lack purpose and vision and patriotism etc. Self reliance, self respect and selflessness should be encouraged and acknowledged and appreciated much more.
 
We can fund mental health more and more and that’s ok. But that is addressing the symptoms once people are getting into that unhealthy state.
There needs to be much more prevention. Thinking patterns need to be addressed from an early age, we’ve become much too emotional as a society these last two generations. And we lack purpose and vision and patriotism etc. Self reliance, self respect and selflessness should be encouraged and acknowledged and appreciated much more.
You may be onto something. The more people and in particular men have been encouraged to talk and share feelings, it has correlated in seemingly higher mental health problems.
 
Maybe that's how they should attack the suicide issue?

I know they wouldn't be maybe they should push the "think about the pain you'll leave others with" angle

In the moment I'm assuming most think "they're better off without me" but if you had the guilt of leaving loved ones with all that hurt you might reconsider.
 
It's not spoken about often enough, more needs to be done and not just a token tick box "R U OK day" exercise.
Again it's a very sensitive issue that needs to be highlighted in a way that doesn't make people feel worse about themselves.

Those living with serious irreversible problems or chemical imbalances I feel for.

The others I feel like they let themselves fall into the depression trap, then take the easy way out.
 

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I recently lost both of my brothers to different illnesses within 6 months of each other.

It's surreal, it's hollow, it's devastating.

The only very slight reprieve, for want of a better word, is that mum and dad both passed away a few years earlier. Nobody is meant to outlive their children - I can only feel totally shattered for Adam's parents having to go through all of this.

Hopefully the Selwoods can mourn and celebrate his life, and find some peace amongst the terrible and inexplicable loss.
 
Maybe that's how they should attack the suicide issue?

I know they wouldn't be maybe they should push the "think about the pain you'll leave others with" angle

In the moment I'm assuming most think "they're better off without me" but if you had the guilt of leaving loved ones with all that hurt you might reconsider.
I don't know if that would be very productive or helpful. Maybe a campaign focusing on stories of those who have found themselves in a suicidal state but gotten through it and found happiness thereafter, showing the possibilities that can be missed if you end things.

I just worry about playing into the perception of suicide being "selfish" or taking the easy way out, as was a commonly-held opinion in the past. It's anything but. Think about how hard-wired our survival instincts are when threatened. For someone to bypass all those instincts to harm themselves means they are in incredible pain and/or are very mentally unwell. It's an insidious illness and is very hard to combat on a large-scale level as everyone who experiences it has unique reasons and reactions to and for what they're going through.
 


Apologies if this has already been posted.

RIP.
 
I feel like there is always a lot of people fighting ghosts in situations like this with just a blanket we have to do better or remove the stigma stance when in general that has been the case for awhile and a lot of the time it doesn’t really change much. When people are actually in the midst of depression they usually don’t seek help because they don’t want help. It’s a self sabotaging illness so very hard for anyone to address and the token speak up message isn’t of a great deal of value imo
 
I don't know if that would be very productive or helpful. Maybe a campaign focusing on stories of those who have found themselves in a suicidal state but gotten through it and found happiness thereafter, showing the possibilities that can be missed if you end things.

I just worry about playing into the perception of suicide being "selfish" or taking the easy way out, as was a commonly-held opinion in the past. It's anything but. Think about how hard-wired our survival instincts are when threatened. For someone to bypass all those instincts to harm themselves means they are in incredible pain and/or are very mentally unwell. It's an insidious illness and is very hard to combat on a large-scale level as everyone who experiences it has unique reasons and reactions to and for what they're going through.
I think a gut reaction for a lot of people hearing news like this (including myself) is "how could he do that to his wife/kids/etc." In this case it's very applicable - you've seen the devastation of suicide on your family, and yet you chose to end your life as well.

For me, as someone who has been fortunate not to deal with mental health issues, it does signify how little I really understand the effect it truly can have on people. I feel so horrible for Adam that despite his loved ones, he still saw no other option. I think it is wrong to label it as 'selfish', because that's assuming someone in their last moments is acting with a clear and stable frame of mind.
 
Not much research or light is shed on side effects of meds leading to increased suicidal thoughts. Especially meds related to mental health, ppl change meds very frequently as they are trying to get to the "I'm cured" state but may actually end up worsening for some.
I haven't taken any of it but for those who have been is there a buddy system or accountability partner who can keep an eye out on a person when they are on treatment. So signs of worsening can be picked quicker.
 

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Vale Adam Selwood

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