State of mind
In a world filled with iPads, reality television and Justin Beiber the word suicide often splashes awkwardly into party conversations.
But the much misinterpreted topic was brought to the forefront by Sydney based non-profit organisation Vibewire Youth Inc last week as part of the Surry Hills Late Night Library Series.
“State of Mind: Unique Perspectives on Mental Health” brought together five different speakers from fields as diverse as weaving and psychology to discuss challenges and paths in improving mental health.
Vibewire events coordinator Annie Le Cavalier said the evening was curated to initiate an exchange of ideas around mental health.
Vibewire identifies mental health as one of four issues vital to lives of young people, the other four being racism, climate change and the digital divide.
Senior Director and Digital Strategist at the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council, Karalee Evans delivered a compelling address on suicide and raised the question of whether the topic should be discussed in the media.
The event discussed whether suicide death should be reported in the public interest because of the necessity of education and awareness.
Lifeline Australia estimates suicide leads to 2,191 deaths annually.
A report published by the Senate in June 2010, “The Hidden Toll: Suicide in Australia” found the framing of stories concerning suicide can increase or decrease fatality rates.
The NSW government has taken measure to combat the increasing rates of suicide including next year’s launch of the online based education program Kids Helpline @ School, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing.
The initiative offers 630 class sessions over the telephone or Skype for counsellors to connect with students around mental health problems.
Vibewire Youth Inc will host another event later this month at the Powerhouse Museum on 28th October as part of fastBREAK, a monthly series of rapid-fire interactive discussions.
The event, centred around the theme “What’s Broken”, will feature a 7.45am breakfast and speakers including Natalie Pryles, head of The Big Issue’s Women’s Subscription Enterprise, and Sebastian Robertson, founded of Batyr, a youth empowerment organisation.
