Tributes flow for Darwin paediatrician Kate Freeman following suicide
The medical community is in mourning following the suicide of a beloved Darwin paediatrician. ‘(She’s) taking care of the little ones whose lives we cannot save’.
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Darwin paediatrician Kate Freeman devoted her life to giving a voice and caring for the Territory’s most vulnerable children, but was silent as she tried to battle her own demons.
Her colleagues, friends and family said Kate never revealed how badly she was suffering in the weeks before her suicide in late June.
The death of the beloved doctor, triathlete and ‘dog mum’ has rocked the medical community, leading to calls for more mental health awareness for hospital workers.
Messages of grief, love and heartbreak have reached Kate’s UK-based family, with her sister Laura Freeman saying it was touching to see “how far and wide her love has spread”.
Ms Freeman said her sister lived her life with compassion, brilliance and an awe-inspiring sense of adventure — which led the young girl who grew up on England’s Northumbrian beaches to the wildlands of the Territory and Western Australia.
“Kate saw the magic in life and she made you feel it too,” Ms Freeman said.
“Nothing was boring when Kate was around, and you’d quickly find yourself sitting around a campfire in the middle of nowhere when you had just planned a quiet night in.”
Kate worked in Royal Darwin Hospital and Perth Children’s Hospital before returning to Darwin as a specialist in 2021.
A fellow Darwin colleague remembered her friend’s passion when dealing with her young, vulnerable patients.
“Despite all the trauma, psychological issues and behavioural, developmental issues these children experienced, Kate took the time to always shine a light on the positives,” she said.
“She was her patients’ biggest champion.
“I feel guilty I wasn’t able to reach out to her more when I saw she was stressed.
“I wonder why she felt she couldn’t reach out to me.
“I’m heartbroken thinking of how lonely she felt. How dark her frame of mind must have been.
“I know Kate has been battling these demons for a long time, and she achieved so much in spite of them.”
Her Perth Children’s Hospital former colleague Kristen Lindsay said her only solace was “my little belief that you are now taking care of the little ones whose lives we cannot save”.
Fellow doctor Laura Dias said it was time to shine a light on the trauma suffered by all health workers, having now lost two of her medical school friends to suicide.
“We shoulder the burden of those living through their worst moments, see horrific pain, trauma, death — sometimes at your own hands,” the UK-based doctor said.
“Trying your best in systems bursting at the seams, yet it neglects and offers little support or regard to the impact to your own health.
“(And) then somehow we are expected to wall that off like robots.
“I am campaigning to change the culture of a system that drove me to burnout and not only encouraged and applauded it but was designed for it.
“Medics are experts at wearing the mask and are terrible patients.”
Hours before she took her own life, Kate was photographed with a beaming grin, covered in sweat and racing towards the finish line at a Darwin Triathlon Club event on June 25.
Looking at the smiling photos of her sister, Ms Freeman said: “I can’t believe this was her last day, and how quickly she must have gone downhill after this.”
She said as far as she was aware, Kate did not tell anyone how she was feeling.
“I firmly believe the only way to prevent more suicide is to talk about it, so that people suffering find it easier to talk themselves,” Ms Freeman said.
“If we normalise talking, maybe in future somebody else will. It starts here.”
The Darwin Triathlon Club sent its deepest condolences to her loved ones following Kate’s passing.
“Her joyful presence was contagious and the stories and memories we have of her and moments that we shared with her will stay with many of us for a lifetime,” the club said.
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said her thoughts were with Kate’s family, friends, the Royal Darwin Hospital, and the wider health community.
“Mental health does not discriminate,” Ms Fyles said.
“All Territorians deserve to be supported throughout their time of need, and our doctors are no different.
“Our medical professionals who care for us, also need care.
“This is why we have counselling services available and an onsite chaplain.”
A recent survey published by the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry found one in 10 Australian healthcare workers reported thoughts of suicide or self-harm during the pandemic, with most not seeking professional help.
The Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospital executive team emailed all staff following Kate’s death, reminding them to “take care of yourselves and take care of each other.”
“It is important to remember that you are not alone and there is always someone available to talk,” it said.
“The death of a colleague presents us with many questions that we may not be able to answer right away, or at all due to confidentiality.”
Last week, Kate’s family flew to Darwin to join her friends, colleagues and loved ones — including the “great love” of her life, her rescue dog, Baxter — for a sunset memorial at her home in Nightcliff.
Her father Paul Freeman wore his daughter’s stethoscope around his neck as they all watched the sun set over the water.
“Kate was taken from us far too soon, suddenly and tragically. She was a very special person and did so much good in her life,” Mr Freeman said.
“You’re at peace now darling Kate.”
Today’s death notices
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Funerals this week
Funerals for Nickolas Saroukos, Mark Malogorski and Dr Liz Moore will be held in in Darwin this week. Read the latest funeral notices here.