Editor's Note

Hi Everyone,

Over the weekend I had the honour of listening to Matt Stokes from Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network (WSPN) speak to an audience of over 200 people at the Mayor’s Charity Ball.

He was on stage to thank the Mayor and attendees for donating half of the proceeds of the ball to WSPN, but his message was so much bigger than that.

The suicide rates in Australia are heartbreaking to witness and one so recently here in our own community was undoubtedly on the minds of many as they listened to Matt speak on Saturday night.

To think an individual would feel so lost and without hope that they choose to take their own life is so shattering and so difficult for many to comprehend.

Despite suicide being so often misunderstood the incredible team at WSPN are doing such amazing work to change this stigma, to let people know that they are not alone, it’s ok to say you are struggling, everyone finds life hard sometimes.

Having such a public platform at the Mayor’s Ball opened the conversation even further and Matt’s impassioned speech really resonated with me, and I expect many others in the room.

He encouraged us all to connect, for when we connect and ask ‘are you ok?’ or take the time to check-in with others, look for signs that someone is struggling – we may just help save a life.

Suicide is not something that is happening behind closed doors, it is happening to people we all know right here in our community and, while sadly it can sometimes be too late, there is still so much hope.

If you are struggling right now reach out, talk to a friend.

Or perhaps attend a free WSPN sponsored Breathing Class – held weekly in Bowen and Cannonvale these classes are incredible – I know this from personal experience.

Rach

Quote of the Week “There’s not an expiration date on needing help, or needing people. You don’t get to a certain age and it stops.” - Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life

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