Charlotte Dawson: One year on from her tragic death and the lasting legacy she left
A YEAR after her death, the legacy of Charlotte Dawson lives on: with the aim of saving the lives of others with mental illness.
THIS weekend marks the a year since Charlotte Dawson tragically took her own life, in her Sydney home, at the age of 47.
Plagued by online bullying, affected by depression and worried about her financial and career future, Charlotte hid her pain behind a big, bold and generous personality.
And while there is absolutely no ‘silver lining’ when it comes to suicide, in Charlotte’s case, the legacy she has left was extremely notable and immense.
After her death last year, I wrote about how upfront, bold, beautiful, humorous, clever, troubled, wry and funny Charlotte always was.
“A self-confessed Botox and hair extension aficionado, Charlotte Dawson was a myriad of things. And I can tell you, she wouldn’t have minded me including those last trivial traits in the roll call at all,” I said back then.
While I didn’t then and I am not now going to feign ‘best friend’ status — even though we knew each other very, very well for over 20 years — the Charlotte most people knew was a fun, vivacious and beautiful woman.
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“Mental illness just does not discriminate,” says Georgie Harman, CEO of Beyond Blue, the national initiative that works to reduce the impact of anxiety, depression and suicide in the community by raising awareness and understanding.
“All the trappings of a ‘celebrity’ mean absolutely nothing as we have seen over the last few years, with many high profile people coming out and telling of their battles with depression or mental illness.
“I didn’t even know Charlotte but her death seemed to resonate with just so many, simply because of her ‘perceived’ glamorous life, but some mental health sufferers just can’t see the end of the pain.”
After Charlotte’s untimely death, Beyond Blue saw a 20 per cent increase in calls to their support services and visits to their website.
“We really did see a big and visible spike, which is a great thing, if not incredibly bittersweet.”
Other statistics from Beyond Blue may surprise you too.
“One in two people will suffer from some kind of mental illness while one in five of your work colleagues will also have to deal with a mental illness at some stage,” adds Ms Harman.
“Australians have never been good at it, but they need to know that there is someone to talk to and recovery IS possible.”
Ms Harman said people thought there is a stigma attached to having mental illness and because of that it would or could have career, social and financial implications.
“Mental illness is still a feared topic but we have to have the conversation and that is the most important thing.
“And if high profile names like Charlotte and not long after her death, Robin Williams, can raise awareness, so others can talk about their issues then that is an extraordinary legacy in itself.”
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ROBIN WILLIAMS: Depression goes back decades
Before she died, some of Charlotte’s friends helped her joined forces to launch the ‘Charlotte Dawson Home’ collection online, and while the project it still in its infancy, organisers are hoping 100 per cent of the proceeds will eventually go Lifeline, Community Brave, ACON, Variety’s Smile Program and Angels Goals.
As well, the call for the Charlotte Dawson Law (on Twitter @charlottes — Law) is still hoping to see law passed that would see the Australian and state governments introduce cyber-bulling laws to tackle serious online abuse.
“The anonymity and 24/7 timing of cyber-bullying makes it very easy for those who choose to do it, to do it,” adds the Beyond Blue chief, Ms Harman.
“Charlotte did possibly compromise herself due to her standing up to her trolls but social media platforms do have to take some kind of responsibility when it comes to outlawing trolls.
“It’s about time this is taken seriously by all the platforms from Twitter to Instagram and Facebook.”
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The TV persona of Charlotte may have been all ballsy, spirited, professional and strong, but the sides that she often admitted to me, and to those much closer to her, said she could never get the personal and relationship ones right.
As well, Charlotte was always upfront talking about her well-documented depression demons.
The fact that Charlotte allowed pathetic media trolls to seep into her life was one area where she and I agreed to disagree.
Instead of ignoring them, deleting, blocking and reporting them she responded and let them spew their bile, because they knew they would get a response.
But that was Charlotte. Strong, opinionated, a woman wanting to fight back as opposed to head for the nearest quiet spot.
“My understanding is Charlotte did stand up to her trolls which was admirable but perhaps not the best thing to do considering her fragile state on mind,’’ added Ms Harman.
While a gathering of Charlotte’s oldest friends are in Bali this evening, raising an espresso martini in her honour at sunset, all of us hope she continues to rest in peace.
And may her legacy — raising awareness of mental illness and the fact that recovery is possible — continue to live on.
Continue the conversation on Twitter and Instagram @melissahoyer
If you or someone you know needs help, contact beyondblue on 1300 224 636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14
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