Rocky Cavanagh’s mum calls for more crisis support and suicide programs

The grieving family of a 14-year-old Riverina boy who took his life have spoken out, saying a series of system failures resulted in his death.

When Raquel “Rocky” Cavanagh’s mum closes her eyes her 14-year-old son’s final, tormented days are on vivid replay in her mind.

Rocky was one of three Riverina youths to take their own lives last month and his family believes a series of failures contributed to his death.

The Indigenous teen, who died on May 17, had struggled with depression and anxiety, he was bullied at school and suffered trauma stemming from his removal from his mother’s care when she was in the grip of drug problems.

His devastated mother Bianca Lyons, 33, said the once happy Wagga Wagga boy was deeply distressed to be separated from family after she developed a drug habit during a difficult time.

“He was very respectful and kind and had a good sense of humour. He loved his family,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

Rocky Cavanagh, 14, from Wagga Wagga, was one of three teenagers to take their own life last month.

Bianca Lyons has criticised the department for placing her child in out-of-home care. Picture: Michael Frogley

Then he spent two years in care. He struggled with the trauma of being away from his family.”

When he was returned to her, Ms Lyons said she attempted to get her “outgoing, smart,” boy the help he needed but struggled because she could not afford services once funded by the government.

“During the restoration process, all the funding was provided by the department but when I took control of the kids, I couldn’t afford to continue the treatment that was working for Rocky,” she said.

“There needs to be some kind of financial package for kids in out of home care who are restored.”

When her son was eventually placed on the ADHD drug Vyvanse, he developed suicidal thoughts, a symptom Ms Lyons says was ignored.

Rocky was able to get an appointment at Headspace, but gave up on the sessions.

“He struggled to gain a rapport with the counsellor,” she said.

His mental health deteriorated to the point where he was unable to attend school. Just when his mother thought things were improving, he took his own life.

“I feel angry, I feel like I failed,” she said.

“The lack of support in the system contributed to his death. We haven’t been sleeping well, every time we close our eyes everything just replays in our head. We’re really struggling to come to terms with what we’re going through.

“But I’ve always told my kids that we can get through anything if we’re together and we’re just really we’re just taking it a day at a time.”

Bianca Lyons tried to get her son help but many services were too expensive. Picture: Michael Frogley

While Ms Lyons believes the recent announcement of free Headspace workshops for parents are a positive step, she says more crisis support and government funded programs are needed.

“There should be more services in school and more mental health workers,” she said.

Two other teenagers from the Riverina took their own lives last month, including 12-year-old Lauren Rafferty from Wagga Wagga and a 17-year-old girl from Griffith.

The region has one of the highest suicide rates in the country with 130 deaths in the five years to 2019.

A spokesperson for the Department of Communities and Justice said it was unable to comment on Rocky’s circumstances.

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FREE SUICIDE WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS

Parents will learn how to detect and manage mental health problems in their children as part of a series of free workshops on offer through headspace following a $1.2 million funding injection.

Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor announced the initiative in a bid to curb the state’s youth suicide rate after The Daily Telegraph revealed three teenagers from the Riverina took their lives in the last month alone.

The youth suicide rate in NSW is on the rise, with figures for those aged 15-17 increasing from 51 in 2011 to 77 in 2019.

Ms Taylor said the workshops will equip parents with practical tips, strategies and skills to start a conversation with their children and help them get the support they need in a crisis.

“These sessions are for any parent or carer who is worried about their child and doesn’t know how to start a conversation about what’s going on in their lives,” Ms Taylor said.

“We’re building a safer, stronger NSW, and these workshops will address local

challenges, point the way to local support services and allow the community to ask

questions about what they can do to help young people who are struggling.”

Ms Taylor hopes the workshops will help parents identify the warning signs early and direct their children to support before it’s too late.

Jess Jones attended one of the Headspace workshops. Pictured here with her husband Dale, daughter Zari and son Zed. Jess attended one of the Headspace workshops,

“We know that more than 50 per cent of people who attempt suicide are not known to mental health services, so it’s hugely important we encourage people to seek help,” she said.

“A parent’s role is vital in helping our young people talk about how they’re feeling. Actively listening and watching out for changes in behaviour are simple things parents can do to help their children.”

Inverell mother-of-two Jess Jones attended one of the workshops last week to educate herself about mental health to support her teenage children.

She says the workshop helped her to understand how to talk to her children if they don’t seem like themselves.

“My son had a friend that died by suicide and it really impacted him and made us aware of the importance of mental health,” she said.

“[Before the workshop] we weren’t sure what the approach was and now we know the services available and how to have a conversation with your kids.”

Headspace CEO Jason Trethowan said identifying the warning signs of suicidal ideation will be a key part of the training.

“Many young people have thoughts of suicide when life seems unbearable and they

can’t imagine another way out of what they are going through,” Mr Trethowan said.

“The vast majority of these young people will not act on those thoughts, but we want

parents and carers to be able to talk about such thoughts in a way that doesn’t

inadvertently shame the young person or encourage them to stay silent.”

The NSW Government is investing $1.2 million over two years for 200 workshops to

be delivered across NSW.

The sessions will be held across NSW over the next month, with upcoming workshops in Campbelltown, Albury, Nowra, Cooma, Mildura and other regions.

Originally published as Rocky Cavanagh’s mum calls for more crisis support and suicide programs