Editorial: Asking for help can head off our suicide ideation crisis

Too many people still refuse to seek help when the trials of the world threaten to overwhelm them, writes the editor.

Increasing numbers of Queenslanders, overwhelmed by the stresses of modern living, are contemplating suicide.

It’s a deeply troubling trend that we must both confront and address if we are to maintain an image of ourselves as a civilised and compassionate community.

A story in today’s Courier Mail by award-winning health and social issues reporter Jackie Sinnerton has highlighted the disturbing trend of suicide ideation, or suicidal thoughts.

New data shows that one in eight Queenslanders have had suicidal thoughts in the past year.

The thoughts are increasingly being driven by everyday life stresses rather than mental health conditions.

Relationship breakdowns and the growing pressures of unpaid bills have overtaken housing access and affordability as the top stressors for those with suicidal thoughts.

Coupled with this is a disturbing drop-off in people reaching out for help when faced with a crisis – a trend exacerbated by the spiralling cost of living, which is leading at-risk people to cancel counselling sessions with psychologists.

The issue of suicide, despite losing some of its stigma over the past few decades, still has an element of the “taboo’’ about it.

Too many people, especially men who are over-represented in suicide stats across the developed world, still refuse to seek help when the trials of the world threaten to overwhelm them.

And yet the number of organisations offering help to people caught in this dark place has never been greater.

Never in human history have developed nations devoted so much attention to assisting those who suffer from mental health issues or who are showing signs of wanting to end their lives.

Lifeline, one of the more high-profile organisations in Australia, can be reached on 13 11 14 at any hour of the day to offer assistance and advice. So can Beyond Blue, on 1300 224 636.

Headspace is a mental health support service for young people between the ages of 12 and 25 and is available from 9am to 1am, seven days a week on 1800 650 890.

Kids Helpline provides a free, private and confidential phone and online counselling service for young people aged from 5 to 25 from anywhere in Australia on 1800 551 800.

It is staffed 24 hours a day.

MensLine Australia is a telephone and online counselling service for men with emotional health and relationship concerns, offering help to anyone in Australia 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1300 789 978.

For veterans, Open Arms provides mental health and wellbeing support for current
and former Australian Defence Force personnel and their families and is also available 24 hours a day on 1800 011 046.

There are so many more – almost all staffed by trained counsellors, who can listen to your concerns and address them, or refer you to another organisation to give you the help you need.

And don’t forget your local GP – a professional with years of training who will help you take your first steps in dealing with issues that threaten to overwhelm you.

Those who are struggling today should know that the Queensland community cares about you, and wants you to care enough about yourself to seek help to deal with problems that so many of us face at some time or other.

The thing is, no matter how dark the clouds, the sun will eventually shine through if you are willing to reach out to others, and ask for a helping hand along life’s more difficult pathways.

GET KIDS BACK ON TRACK

The idea of six-year-old children being given compulsory phonics testing – as we exclusively report today – may cause a degree of anxiety among some parents.

It shouldn’t. This is not a test in the traditional sense – an exam paper that students are expected to study for so that proud parents can stick it up on the fridge door.

Nor is it like NAPLAN, that misunderstood annual exercise – hated by the teachers’ union – that gives parents valuable data about the education outcomes achieved by prospective schools.

Rather, this is a five-to-seven minute face-to-face test performed individually with a teacher to identify how well a student can sound out words and identify letters. Those who don’t do so well will be offered help – early intervention so any weaknesses don’t become an issue throughout a child’s schooling.

With 45,000 students to assess, it is a huge exercise, and phonics is only the first cab off the rank. Numeracy tests will be introduced next year, as part of a national plan to improve education outcomes.

Australia’s education standards have been in steady decline over the past two decades.

Maybe this will help stop the rot.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: Asking for help can head off our suicide ideation crisis