Hope Walk Clarendon in support of suicide awareness and prevention

The Hope Walk will take place on Saturday, February 17, and attendees will meet at the tennis courts at Clarendon and will walk to the information centre along the RAAF base.

Organiser Diane Russell, a Richmond resident, said the event’s purpose is twofold - to raise awareness and break the stigma of suicide, and to show support for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.

Ms Russell lost her son, Jason, to suicide in 2015. He was 31, and left behind a wife and family.

“He unfortunately suffered from bipolar and severe depression got to him. Unfortunately he took his own life. As a male, they don’t tend to reach out,” Ms Russell told the Gazette.

She became involved with the Suicide Prevention and Support Network when she was looking for a support group in the area after Jason died.

She said while there is a lot of information out there for locals who have lost loved ones to death by suicide, it’s not as easy to find information about support groups in the community.

“The Suicide Prevention & Support Network Western Sydney covers the Hawkesbury, Penrith and the Blue Mountains, and I’m their Hawkesbury coordinator. We reach out to people that have lost someone, and we offer a support group,” she said.

Ms Russell said she had met numerous Hawkesbury locals who have been affected by suicide in their family or social network. She expected at least 100 people would come to the Hope Walk, but hoped many more than this would turn up on the day.

“Especially since it’s the very first [Hope Walk] for the Hawkesbury, I just want to break the stigma and make people more aware regarding suicide, because many people are afraid to talk about their problems, especially men,” she said.

“It’s not just a mental health issue - it even affects people who have had financial issues, or are experiencing bullying.”

Ms Russell organised a small ‘walk’ last year, but said this year was the first time she’s gained support from Council for an official Hope Walk.

“I was really fortunate as our Mayor Mary Lyons-Buckett and our federal member Susan Templeman MP came along to see what it was all about, and asked how they can support us next time,” she said.

There’s no need to register to attend the Hope Walk - anyone can simply turn up. Rotary will be there, serving breakfast and coffee on the day, as will representatives from other support groups who will make information available about their services.

“Anybody at all can come along, people who are suffering, families and friends who have lost someone, or even people who know of someone who has lost someone,” said Ms Russell.

Attendees are encouraged to wear something yellow to show their support. Ms Russell will also be having official Hope Walk t-shirts printed in the coming weeks.

To find out more about the event, purchase a t-shirt, or find out more about Suicide Prevention & Support Network Western Sydney and their services (including their 2018 schedule for fortnightly support group meetings), contact Ms Russell on 0405 468 294 or email dirussell63@gmail.com.

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