Golden Girls: Golden Grove High School students brought together by suicide raise funds for prevention

Meet the powerful student leaders from Golden Grove High who all have this one heartbreaking thing in common — but are taking a stand to do something about it.

Before Addison Schaftenaar was born her grandfather tragically ended his own life.

She grew up not knowing how her grandfather, Bert Schaftenaar, died until she was a teenager struggling with her own mental health.

“My dad thought it was time to tell me why my grandpa died and he showed me where it took place,” the 16-year-old said.

“It helped a lot with bettering myself and my mental health.”

Addison is apart of a group of six student leaders from Golden Grove High School who have chosen to raise money for The Big AL Foundation — a foundation created by Woman of the Year nominee Trish Evelyn after her son Alex ended his life in 2021, when he was 21 years old.

Tayla Price 16, Jelique Canova 16, Talise Hansen 16, Mia Hogan 16, Brydie Fraser 15 and Addison Schaftenaar 16. Pic. RoyVPhotography

Addison isn’t the only young women in the group touched personally by suicide.

Brydie Fraser, 15, lost her uncle Matthew Fraser 10 years ago and Mia Hogan, 16, lost her grandfather Paul Heighett at aged 72 last year.

“(He) couldn’t live without his wife,” Mia said.

They said it was because of their personal experiences, they chose to work with a charity actively working to help people struggling.

Brydie said choosing to partner with The Big AL Foundation was “divine intervention” after she realised her birthday, April 15, was the same day Alex died.

“It’s like he was bringing us together,” she said.

The students raised more than $1200 at a casual day in late February and hosted a sausage sizzle and raffle on Friday, March 21, with all proceeds going to the foundation.

Ms Evelyn said the money raised – which Premier Peter Malinauskas has vowed to match after being inspired by Trish’s work at The Advertiser, Sunday Mail, SkyCity Woman of the Year Awards – will go straight back into running the breathing programs at the school — a vital element of the charity.

“The Big AL Foundation isn’t just spreading awareness, she’s generating solutions … it can really make a big difference in people’s lives,” Brydie said.

Mr Malinauskas said: “I’m pleased to support this very important cause and I wish the students all the best with their fundraising efforts.”

Trish Evelyn created The Big AL Foundation after her son ended his life in 2021. Pic. RoyVPhotography

The students at Golden Grove have been struggling with their mental health due to judgement they receive from people outside their community, according to the girls.

“Parents, not a part of this school will be like ‘oh you go to Golden Grove?’, it’s like they have a bad mindset on it when they haven’t actually seen it for itself,” Addison said.

“They hear one story and think it’s the whole school … it’s a good school.”

When Jelique Canova moved to Golden Grove from a private school she said her “whole life changed” for the better.

The girls single-handedly rallied almost their entire high school, over 1200 students, to get involved in a casual and charity days.

The efforts have inspired them to think towards the future with Brydie striving to become a politician, Addison, an early childhood educator, Mia, a psychologist, Tayla Price and Talise Hansen both nurses and Jelique a psychiatrist.

“I really like helping people and seeing people improve with their mental health because I go through that stuff all the time as well,” Tayla said.

“It’s made me really proud that we’ve done this.”

Through their efforts the girls are hoping to change the stigma around suicide and mental health.

“It’s not really talked about enough,” Talise said.

“Not just as a school but also as a community and society … the stigma really needs to be changed.”

Originally published as Golden Girls: Golden Grove High School students brought together by suicide raise funds for prevention