Lifeline CEO Derek Tuffield shares sorrow from losing brother to suicide

Lifeline CEO Derek Tuffield wants more people to seek out help for their mental health as he shares the story of the loss of his brother to suicide.

Lifeline Darling Downs and South West CEO Derek Tuffield. Picture: Kevin Farmer

DEREK Tuffield knows first-hand the lingering sorrow of losing a loved one to suicide.

It was 2012 when his second-youngest brother Ian, at the age of 51, took his own life.

“For my family, it’s as fresh today as it was eight years ago,” he said.

Ian was a popular and respected ex-policeman.

“And it was a result of not just one issue, but multiple issues and often people spoke about my brother’s demons,” Mr Tuffield said.

“He did write a suicide note and he did say that he had gone to a very dark place and no longer wanted to be a part of this universe and he was checking out and very sadly for our family, and for his family and his children, he did take his own life.”

With 33 years under his belt working for Lifeline and now as CEO of Lifeline Darling Downs and South West Queensland, Mr Tuffield has seen society’s approach to mental health and suicide change significantly over the decades – for the better.

He puts that down to the Federal Government in 2010/11 putting a strong emphasis on the importance of good mental health and injecting millions in funding to help strengthen mental health responses across the country.

But he thinks people are still scared to ask for help.

“I guess what I’d like to see more of is that people reach out more for help,” he said.

“There is a multitude of organisations – Lifeline, Beyond Blue, ReachOut, there are online services, chat rooms – find what works for you to get comfortable with saying ‘I am struggling at the moment’.

“Don’t be afraid to say that. We are not perfect, we are human. Help is available and don’t be afraid to sit there and reach out. Australians have got to get better at that.”

Mr Tuffield said Lifeline’s 13 11 14 number was currently answering 96% of all calls received nationally – about 3300 calls per day.

He said those numbers were well up on what they’ve been in years gone by.

“As a direct result of COVID-19, more people are accessing that service. It’s great they are. Lifeline’s challenge is to make sure we can get as close to 100% calls answered as we can,” he said.

Mr Tuffield said employers also had an important role to play in helping people with their mental health.

About one in five Australians suffer from a mental health issue in any given year.

“There are mental health workshops that employers can ask for,” Mr Tuffield said.

He also said employee assistance programs were important for people who were struggling – especially if they didn’t want to raise the issue with their boss.

If this article has affected you, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.