MENTAL health support worker Jannelle Brandley has always known about the risks and devastation of suicide.
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But when Ms Brandley’s 18-year-old son, Duval High schoolboy Jarrod Allcock, took his life in May the scourge of suicide took on a new meaning.
Still recovering from the devastation of losing her son, Ms Brandley has decided to take a public stand to raise awareness of suicide with the hope other families in Armidale might be spared the heartbreak her family is enduring.
Backed by her RichmondPRA mental health worker colleagues, Ms Brandley will lead the region’s Out of the Shadows and into the Light walk in Armidale on September 10, which is World Suicide Prevention Day.
The open-invitation initiative supported by Lifeline will draw attention to suicide in the New England region, with an emphasis on what can be done to ensure more is done to identify and support people at risk of suicide.
“Jarrod was the eldest of four boys and had a normal upbringing,” Ms Brandley said.
“He was attentive and never in trouble at school. He had a close circle of friends and worked part-time at local take away outlets before enrolling at TAFE.
“Things began to change when Jarrod began using cannabis. His moods changed. He became anxious, depressed and sometimes aggressive. Just before turning 17 he faced court on a drug charge but there was no conviction. He underwent counselling and was deemed a low-risk drug user.
“His life was in a downward spiral.
“Some thought it was just routine ‘teen angst’, until he ended his life on Sunday, [May 18].”
Ms Brandley never considered her son would take his own life.
“It’s difficult to describe the grief and devastation that goes with losing a child to suicide,” Ms Brandley said.
“You only get so many opportunities to engage with teenagers. If you miss the signs and symptoms that they’re in trouble and don’t respond in the right ways there can be no turning back.
“It’s so important for local communities to be aware of and talk about the risks of suicide.”
The Out of the Shadows and into the Light walk will start at Mallam House, 94 Rusden Street, Armidale at 10.15 on Wednesday, September 10 and move to Central Park, where a welcome reflection and memory book signing will take place.
More information on the walk on 9393 9556.
If you need immediate assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.
For further information about seeking help contact the beyondblue support service on 1300 22 4636 or www.beyondblue.org.au, the SANE Australia Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or www.sane.org or Headspace at www.headspace.org.au.