Sissy Austin reveals her mental health fight to stamp out stigma
A young woman has encouraged her community to reach out for mental health help amid increasing calls to address rising suicide rates.
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A young woman is encouraging First Nations people to reach out for help as she reflects on life since her suicide attempt, amid mounting calls to address the shocking suicide rates in the community.
Two years on from a mental breakdown and suicide attempt, Sissy Austin, 28, has shared her story in the hope of reducing the stigma around mental illness, while encouraging others to seek help before they reach a crisis point.
The Ballarat woman admitted reaching the point of feeling suicide was her only option after an “exhausting” 2020.
“I had very high expectations of myself to continue functioning at a high level whilst experiencing really hard things,” she said.
This included experiencing family violence during the state’s lockdowns, becoming a kinship carer for five children – including four who had escaped family violence and were “highly traumatised” – all while recovering from a traumatic sexual assault.
Among her many advocacy roles she was also the South West elected member for the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria at the time, while working as a paralegal in the family violence sector.
“I really cared about and loved my job,” she said. “But burn out crept up on me before I could even identify that I was burnt out.”
While a proud Indigenous woman, she described it as being “empowering but deeply challenging”.
“Most of us carry the weight of the world on our shoulders,” Ms Austin explained.
“I felt absolutely exhausted, I felt like I had nothing left to give, I felt like the only place I would find rest was in heaven – that was my mindset the day that I tried to take my own life.”
That day started out as normal – she had purchased her morning coffee and arrived at work. But once she had pulled into the car park her reality “hit” her.
“I cried and cried. I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. Work wasn’t a safe place for me … and home felt exhausting.”
Ms Austin credits her connection to country and her general practitioner for saving her life that day.
It was the sound of a kookaburra laughing in the trees that distracted her long enough for her brother and emergency services to find her.
That day was more than two years ago and since then she has been on a long journey to recovery.
Ms Austin “cried a river of tears” in inpatient care, where she leant heavily on a psychologist who made her “feel a sense of safety and validat[ed] the deep pain [she] was experiencing”.
Overwhelmed by the world and her feelings at surviving her attempt, being in a mental health ward was a “safe place” for her to fall apart while receiving the help and care she needed.
While being wrapped up in support, including from her “amazing” GP from the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, Ms Austin “pushed through” her recovery journey.
“There were so many other First Nations community members in there and we all looked after each other. That’s what our community’s about.
“I am blessed that I belong to the Aboriginal community here in Victoria, who held me and allowed for me to safely fall apart so I could heal from the very core of who I am.”
Recently marking her two years since her breakdown, Ms Austin has reflected on her mental health journey and feels “deeply grateful” for everybody who helped her heal.
“I feel emotional, but good emotions. I feel so happy to be alive. Genuine happiness,” Ms Austin, who recently came out as queer, added.
“The last two years have been huge for me in that I have been rebuilding internally and healing pretty openly by sharing my journey on social media to create awareness and hopefully show others experiencing mental health issues that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
But her joy is tinged by the “heartbreak and distress” she feels at the state’s high rate of Indigenous suicides.
Data released by the Coroners Court of Victoria last year revealed the number of suicides of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people increased by 75 per cent in 2021.
It showed a yearly increase from 2018 to 2021, when 35 First Nations Victorians lost their lives.
First Nations people currently die by suicide at a rate of three and a half times higher than the non-Indigenous population, are on average younger and males living in regional areas are most at risk.
The Court pointed to stressors being contact with the justice system, insecure accommodation, family violence and difficulties in accessing support services prior to death.
At the time Troy Williamson (Yuin), manager of the Coroner’s Koori Engagement Unit, described the spike as “heartbreaking”.
“It is a reminder of the systemic inequalities our communities face. Our communities are hurting.
“Suicide is complex and has many layers. It is vital that barriers to seeking support are dismantled and culturally competent practices are put in place to save lives.”
The latest data shows another increase in suicides in 2022, with 686 Victorians taking their lives by the end of November compared to 638 at the same time in 2021.
A data breakdown of Indigenous suicide rates is not yet available.
Ms Austin believes First Nations people “are fighting to survive”.
“We are exhausted. Every day we wake up to another black death in custody, to more of our children being removed. We wake up to face racism and violence.
“We live in a country where our lives don’t matter.”
She said First Nations people carried heavy loads, adding it was “really hard” to exist in Australia – a country without a treaty.
Ms Austin said a treaty would allow the community to self-determine what is needed to address issues such as suicide rates.
“The bandaid fixes aren’t working. Our services are doing everything they can under strict terms and conditions.
“We need our land back so we can heal, connect and thrive.
“Our babies take their own lives because they don’t see hope. We need to instil hope in our communities, hope for a future where we don’t have to keep fighting for the same rights as non-Indigenous people.”
Ms Austin encouraged anybody struggling with their mental health or feeling suicidal to reach out for help.
“I was shocked by the overwhelming support I received once my community, friends and family knew I was struggling.
“I encourage First Nations mob to have strong boundaries in place, know our limits and learn more about burnout.
“Seek help. There is a team of superheroes waiting to hold you and carry you through whatever pain and suffering you’re experiencing.”
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