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Thoughts on R U OK Day
(From Someone Who Just Had A Mental Breakdown and Nearly Died A Buncha Times)
(From Someone Who Just Had A Mental Breakdown and Nearly Died A Buncha Times)
In Australia, we like to think of certain issues as apolitical. Things we all agree are important and would be tarnished if we used them to 'advance' a political agenda. I think suicide is generally considered one of these things. We're all against it, as a concept.
But, as someone of great privilege who has recently negotiated a mental breakdown of indescribable proportions, I want to emphasise - suicide is not apolitical. And, the current administration are not against suicide. At best, they're indifferent.
Let's consider:
Let's consider:
What is the primary recommendation for those facing suicidal urges? Get help.
What does that look like? Fortunately, we have a case study: me.
In August 2020, I made two suicide attempts (for wont of a better word) in less than 48 hours.
In the wake of this, I sought help:
What does that look like? Fortunately, we have a case study: me.
In August 2020, I made two suicide attempts (for wont of a better word) in less than 48 hours.
In the wake of this, I sought help:
1. I reached out to my psychologist for an emergency session. They couldn't fit me in.
2. Upon advice from a GP, I sought admission to a Private Psychiatric Hospital.
2. Upon advice from a GP, I sought admission to a Private Psychiatric Hospital.
3. To do so, I needed a psychiatrist referral. To get one, I had to wait twelve hours at Royal Brisbane Hospital to see an Emergency Psych. During my time, a fellow patient smashed open a clock and used the glass to try and injure themselves. We left hospital a little before 5am.
4. Referral in hand, I was told I would need to increase my monthly private health payments before my hospital cover included psychiatric hospital cover. I had to use a special 'emergency' function to allow me to use my benefits as soon as I paid for them.
5. I called one hospital. There were no beds.
6. I called another hospital. None of their psychiatrists wanted to take me on.
7. After two weeks, I managed to see a psychiatrist. At which point, I no longer needed hospital.
6. I called another hospital. None of their psychiatrists wanted to take me on.
7. After two weeks, I managed to see a psychiatrist. At which point, I no longer needed hospital.
8. Since then, I've seen a psychiatrist, psychologist, three GPs, a dietitian, an exercise physiologist, and I'm scheduled to see another psychologist.
9. All of this I had to pay for while not working for a month.
9. All of this I had to pay for while not working for a month.
10. In the weeks since those first two attempts, I've made 3-4 similar attempts.
Now, I am white, high-earning, have an excellent support system, an incredibly supportive workplace, and savings. With an incredibly well-documented history of mental illness. And, I had to run THAT gauntlet to get support.
This is not a fixed reality. It's not simply that 'Oh, supporting mentally ill people is hard'. The current administration and their forebears have made a series of deliberate and informed choices to make it *harder* for people to get help.
Again, I'm about as privileged as you can get, and, when the time came, it took weeks and thousands of dollars for me to get medical support. Think of all of the people who do not have what I have. What do they do? Where do they go?
As you see companies and politicians talk about suicide today, think less on the question of 'R U OK' and more on the question:
What are you doing about it?
And, be it with ballot or wallet, vote accordingly.
MJx
What are you doing about it?
And, be it with ballot or wallet, vote accordingly.
MJx
