How do we help a loved one when they are depressed? How do we know when someone is contemplating suicide? There may be no sure way of keeping those we love safe from depression or self-harm, but we can learn to read the signs better? DIANA WELLS reports.
SUICIDE - it's a subject that's been somewhat taboo in the past.
It's confronting, brings immeasurable sorrow and guilt for those left behind, and at the very least is distressing for people to deal with.
We often don't know what to say to someone who has lost a loved one through suicide.
Yet with statistics showing there is one death every five hours in Australia from suicide, chances are, during our lifetime, we will know someone or someone's family who is affected by suicide.
Berwick Church of Christ pastor Martin Gillespie has worked in the areas of personal growth counselling, grief counselling and with families and children for more than 20years.
He has also worked in the areas of sexual abuse, sexuality issues and most recently has undertaken additional studies in the areas of domestic violence.
He has a personal interest in the area of depression and suicide prevention. He says it's about finding a safe place for the person who's depressed or suicidal.
"That safe place may not be at home - in fact, domestic violence plays a major part in people's distress and depression.''
Casey has a high rate of domestic violence and a very high number of people with depression and anxiety issues, Mr Gillespie says.
In his 18 years as a church minister, both in Pakenham and Berwick, he has dealt with people with depression and anxiety, but also grief on all levels.
He says that families which have lost a loved one through suicide find it hard to deal with grief.
"If someone loses a child - that's already the most difficult of grief and it's not in the natural order of things.
"But if that child is lost through suicide there's the added guilt from the parent's side and the eternal question of why.''
In a bid to help Casey residents on how to recognise the signs of someone who is either depressed or suicidal, Mr Gillespie is holding a half-day workshop this Saturday at the Berwick Church of Christ.
The session is aimed at those who may have family members, friends or work colleagues who struggle with depression or suicidal thoughts.
He will speak about the signs of suicide, what to do if someone threatens suicide, how to keep someone safe and support services available.
"Around 2000 Australians die each year and for every person who dies from suicide each year, there are at least another 30 people who attempt suicide,'' Mr Gillespie says.
"This is a fact that is not really well known. Suicide is the major cause of premature death among people with mental illness.
"Up to 10per cent of people affected by mental illness kill themselves - the rate of suicide among young people, especially young men, aged between 15 and 30 has increased alarmingly since the mid-1960s.''
For more information or to book into this workshop, contact Christine Smith at Berwick Church of Christ on 97021011.
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