positive energy

[katos]

My tip for staying well when suffering from anxiety and depression- channel your energies into something positive , find something that moves you, help others, build a cause. After the death of my son to suicide i founbd that i had to make something good come out of the tradgedy, i wanted a legacy that would honour my son. So I became a volunteer for beyondblue and lifeline and with their support and the team from the blackdog institute I arrange mental health presentations and travel to schools and talk to the students. Over the last three years i have spoken to thousands of our youth and many have been helped. This has given me impetus in my life, something to strive and work for. In this I have found a true legacy for my son, i have found help for my depression and most importantly - have made a difference and helped others.

[Jacko777]

Hi Katos,

Thankyou for your post and the great service you have given to others. Welcome to these forums, I hope you hang around and continue your legacy here. So sorry to hear about your son, certainly you have made something very good come from it, well done.

I too have partly recovered from a life event that has brought me greater understanding, calmness and happiness. We shall keep up the great work! Love to you.

Jacko

[Doolhof]

Hi Katos,

I too would like to thank you very much for your post and the message you have shared with us all.

I am so very sorry to read of your son's suicide. I an not begin to imagine how that must have been for you. My favourite cousin suicided and I know how devastated I felt by that, let alone having your own child take their life.

There have been too many occasions in my life where I have felt that suicide was the only answer to stop the pain and the misery I have felt while in a very dark place.

I'm thankful that I have not managed to go through with my thoughts and that I have a great Dr. who is helping me.

It is wonderful you have been able to reach out to students and have become involved with helping others.

Cheers to you, from Mrs Dools xxx

[geoff]

dear Katos, I also want to thank you for the job that you are doing, because this should have been done years ago, but now Beyond Blue has grown to an enormous level with the bus touring around Australia and unfortunately I missed out from seeing the guys because I had an operation.

This particular forum has changed as well all for the better because we now have a manager who has done an excellent job, and I often thank him for what he is doing, and for your effort, I want to congratulate you and the team, and would dearly love to know the reaction and response you get from the kids.

Thanks for posting your comment. Geoff.

[katos]

Dear Jacko, thanks for your comments. I hope you find healing and peace . Life is cruel and harsh and we need good people to help us along. Your kind words helped me too. We do the best we can and try to make a difference. And supporting each other is important. Take care, regards Katos x

[katos]

Dear Mrs, Dools, thankyouy for your kind words and response to my post. And I am sorry you are suffering depression and h ave been to that dark hopeless place. I have been suicidal twice last year and thankfully have sought out help. Counsellors, pyscologists and a support group for mothers who have lost their children. Keep up your visits to professionals, do whatever you need to do to help yourself. Life is precious and we must fight thru everyday to hang on to it. By helping ourselves we can also help others. Be happy, be well, god bless xx

[katos]

Dear Geoff, thankyouy for your kind words and response to my post. I too, missed the bus , I was a volunteer for it but couldn't do it as my son was in hospital having an operation. Beyondblue has stepped up quite a bit the last few years and raising awareness thru media. The sunday Telegraph too is doing a great job in their editorials and now the youth forum. Youy wanted to know the responses I get from the schools- well the last presentation I gave to 600 students at a high school was great. Many kids put up their hands to admit they had a problem and came to me for help. Others came asking for help for friends they now suspect have mental health issues. Kids have told me how much they appreciated me talking to them and said my son would be very proud of me.  The teachers have sent me emails saying that they have been very surprised by the students reached by the presentation and are wanting me to come back every year and give it, Stating that they want to help me reach my goal. I have started a petition with change.org to get the federal gov't to make mental health programmes compulsory in schools. Six kids were directly helped that day, more later. But even one soul saved for me is a success. When they listen to my talk, you can hear a pin drop in the hall, they are moved by it emotionally, some cry. Its hard on me too, but important and needs to be done. look after yourself, regards Katos x 

[Doolhof]

Dear Katos,

I have read your other replies as well as the one to myself. I am so very pleased there are people like you who are so willing to stand up, talk about your painful experience and help others.

End of last year I was not in a good place and very willingly went off to hospital for a couple of weeks. That helped me so very much. I didn't tell my work place why I was in hospital, I am not sure how they would have taken that.

My family, husband and especially my nieces give me plenty of reasons for staying alive.

At Easter, one of my nieces phoned and asked when she could come around for an Easter Egg hunt with her sister, they are not teenagers anymore but still enjoy Easter egg hunts at our place. Moments like that are so very special to me.

Wishing you all the love, strength, peace and comfort you need to continue on with the amazing work you are doing.

Cheers for now and thanks,  from Mrs. Dools

[geoff]

dear Katos, thanks so much for getting back to us, it does mean the world to actually hear back from those that endeavour to spread the word of depression and to a large group of 600 students who would be enthralled by what you have said to them all.

 It's well and truly needed. Geoff.

[katos]

Dear Mrs dools, you too have experienced pain and have suffered. that is why you  have empathy. You too have a story to tell and maybe in the future you will be able to share it with others. it is all part of the healing process. It is sad that you cannot be truthful ast work, but that is not your fault. It ius society as a whole that judges mental health and has no compassion. My son died of suicide and people don;'t want to know that. They say to me to tell people that he was hit by a truck instead of the truth! Because they sare uncomfdortable and can';t handle it. Thius is why we must educate others, to bring the subject of mental health out of the shadows into the light. Only then will we accept it and only then will we be able to help and save sufferers. take care of yourself and enjoy your family, they are precious . reegards katos xxx