Suicide and Depression

I recently received this message-

I live in a small town like you once did. I have just gone though the hardest week of my life. I have just lost a friend that killed himself because he was going through a hard time?
Sorry I’m writing to you about something like this!!! But I just don’t get it.
Ive done it hard over the years, but just cant get my head around why someone that has so many friends and family, goes and does this. I guess at the end of the day, I’m now sad that I have just lost a friend that I couldn’t help.
Everyone that I’ve spoken to about (name) didn’t see it coming at all, nor did I.

I can not tell you how much of an honor it is to have people come to me for advice, information or a listening ear on this. But this isn’t about me… it’s about understanding depression.

Before I start I have to say I have no formal qualifications in Depression, Physiology or counselling. I am a person who has spent an abundance of hours, days, weeks & months trying to reduce the stigma surrounding depression and helping others understand Depression.

The easiest way I can try to explain suicide lead from depression is… When someone dies from cancer, car accidents or heart disease we easily understand the death (it doesn’t make it any less sad, just easier to understand) however because most people don’t understand suicide and depression it leaves thoughts like why, how, I didn’t know. Some people will even think of it as a selfish act.

If you switch your mindset so instead of thinking he commit suicide….think he died from a disease… they died from depression.

Happy people do not commit suicide sad, lonely and depressed people do. Someone who suffers from depression is extremely good at hiding and disguising it. So although they may have had friends and family around them they are just unable to see a way out from the deep dark hole they are in.
There is so much help available for anyone going through this the first port of call is a GP Beyond Blue have a list of GP’s who specialise in Mental Illness all you have to do is type in your postcode and a list of GP’s in your area will appear.
If you urgently need to speak to someone out of hours call Lifeline 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

Here are some interesting facts on suicide and depression from my peeps over at SANE

Suicide, self-harm and mental illness

Having a mental illness is recognised as one of the highest risk factors for suicidal
behaviour and self-harm, yet many people do not receive the practical help they
need to reduce the risk of further attempts . . .

Does talking about suicidal feelings help?
20% Provided with suicide crisis plan
73% Talked about suicidal feelings

After a suicide attempt, are people given help to reduce the risk of it happening again?
20% Provided with suicide crisis plan
80% Not provided with suicide crisis plan

Are people at risk of suicide recognised as having a mental health problem?
64% Diagnosis of mental illness
36% No prior diagnosis

Are people provided with psychological therapy after a suicide attempt?
43% Referred for psychological therapy

Full the full report on self harm from mental illness click here

If you have lost someone from suicide you can read this to hopefully help shed some light.