Getting back on the right track

StefanBradley

LASTweekwas End Youth Suicide Week (Monday, February 13 to Friday, February 17), an initiative supported by peer-led youth intervention organisation Youth Insearch, who support young people in Gippsland, Goulburn and Greater Melbourne.

The week encourages Australians to defy the stigma associated with mental health, and to openly talk about suicide with their friends, families and communities.

Oneyoung person living in the Wellington Shire who has overcome adversity is Youth Insearch trainee peer worker, Kaara Jackson-Watson.

The 20-year-old had avery tough time growing up.

“I experienced sexual assault, drug and alcohol abuse and toxic relationships,” she said.

“My grades slipped and Iwas told, “school isn’t for everyone”. My anger spiked, and Icaused constant arguments and was told it was just my time of the month. Imade asuicide attempt and later went to therapy.

"When that didn’t help after only acouple of sessions, Igot 'why do Ieven pay for therapy if it’s not working?'"

Ms Jackson-Watson moved out of home after she turned 17.

“I workedeveryday and when Igot home, Iused drugs to drownout the silenceand filluphow empty Ifelt,” she said.

“I spent along time just trying to push my emotions to the bottom of the deep, black bag of issues Iwas carrying around with me everywhere."

AYouthInsearch support worker cametoMs Jackson-Watson’s high school when she was 14.

After Ms Jackson-Watson explained to them that she wasstruggling,they referred her to more help from the organisation.

“I came to Youth Insearch for my depression, I thought Icould find something that would help me that wasn’t relying on atinypill every morning,” she said.

“I realisedvery quickly that Ihad more issues than Iwas acknowledging. Imademyfirst disclosure at Youth Insearch, and my support worker fought tooth-and-nail to get me into counselling.

“YouthInsearch didn’t hold my hand and tell me everything was going to be alright, but they were honest,and they held my hand whenIdidn’t know what Ineeded.”

Now, Ms Jackson-Watson is able to give back to the community by supporting other young people as part of Youth Insearch.

“My job is to support my caseloadofyoung people going through things like depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation,” she said.

“I usually catch-up with them once aweek, but depending on how often they need me, Imay catch up with them more. And Itouch base with any new referrals and get them involved.”

Ms Jackson-Watson said she hoped that the community understands that at-risk youth don’t want to take their own lives.

“They don’t want to (die by suicide). They’lldo everything they can to ask for help before it gets to that point,” she said.

“Theydon’twant to make everyone else’s lives difficult, whether it’sfriends or family. They aren’t trying to act out deliberately. Whennobody’s listening to them, they think it’s their last resort.

“When they finally feel thatsomebody’s listening, they take adeep breathand say‘Idon’tneedto resort to that’. And they’re all incredibly eager to help themselves and get out their issues and their trauma, and make themselves better.

“We’re not acrisisline, we’re here so when they do ask for help they can get it. We advocatefor them to go to therapy.”

Ms Jackson-Watson is glad that she found help and was able to fight off her demons.

“I managed to pull myself out of drug and alcohol addiction and moved myself to abetter job that I loved doing,” she said.

“From there, everything got easier. Ifound a guy that Iadore and got engaged. We now have a beautiful 10-month-old daughter that is the light of our lives.

“I wouldn’t ever say that I’m cured, becauseeven after acknowledgingmyproblems andtraumas, it still hurts.

“But knowing I’ve got asupport network Ican fall back on when things get tough, makes it easier.”

The theme of End Suicide Week this year is from 'trauma to triumph' and acknowledges the 402 young people who lost their lives to suicide in 2021, 80 of whom were under 17-years-old.

These young people have been referred to as the 'missing middle', though YouthInsearch prefers to refer to them as the 'forgotten middle'.

Youth Insearch says that young peoplewho fit into this category are not missing. They have always beenpresent though they have been ‘forgotten’ by the mainstream medical solution approach currently in place, to address youth mental health andsuicide rates.

All Australians deserve the very best chance for ahealthy, rewarding and satisfying life. However, despitemorethan $11 billion invested by government, businessand private providers each year, suicide remains the leadingcause of death in young Australians, and many young people are not receiving the support they need. There is an estimated $22 billion per year loss to the Australian economy from the impact of youth suicide.

To find out more about Youth Insearch or to download the Forgotten Middle report, visit youthinsearch.org.au or eysw.com.au

If you need immediate assistance, call crisis services Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

If your life is in danger, please call 000.

For non-crisis support, call Youth Insearch on 1800 805 635.