These days, Alan Earls feels good, but it hasn’t always been that way.
Key points:
- Julia GIllard calls on governments to improve support for people who have attempted suicide
- Most “aftercare” after a suicide attempt is offered through public health services
- An evaluation of a program shows that it reduced suicidal thoughts and psychological distress
A family break-up seven years ago saw him in a spiral in gambling and alcohol addiction.
He lost his home and ended up in an attempt to take his own life.
“I fell through the cracks of many support services because I didn’t meet the criteria,” he said.
“I had to invent my own recovery. It was very difficult to talk to people about it.”
It is people like Alan whom former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, president of Beyond Blue, wants to help with greater access to post-suicide care.
Meditating is something Alan has incorporated into his morning routine. (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)
Subsequent care refers to the support a person receives after a suicide attempt.
Ms. Gillard is using her first interview since the election to ask governments to offer support nationwide.
“We know from our assessment that aftercare makes a big difference to people,” he said.
If you or someone you know needs help:
That’s the kind of service Alan Earls could have helped. Instead, he realized that simple things like going to bed and meditating every morning keep him mentally healthy.
“The structure in the morning is very important and stay there,” he said.
“I feel like I can start the day and I’ve worked with myself.”
A “vital connection”
Beyond Blue’s follow-up program, The Way Back, has helped more than 15,000 people in 38 locations across Australia since 2018.
Individuals receive individualized assistance from a support worker for 12 weeks after a suicide attempt.
“All the statistics tell us that the real risk period for trying to get your life back is three months, so this is a critical support window,” Ms. Gillard said.
“He puts them in touch with a support worker who will be there to help them resolve why they have reached this point in their lives … their jobs, their relationships, their domestic circumstances that have led them to this state of despair and what can be done to alleviate it. “
Julia Gillard calls on the federal government to implement further care in Australia. (ABC News: Billy Draper)
An evaluation of the program given exclusively to the CBA shows that later attention reduced suicidal thoughts by more than 60% and psychological distress by 30%.
“It’s a vital connection to a human being that matters to you,” Ms. Gillard said.
“It matters to someone’s will to think, ‘Maybe I should do my life again and maybe there’s some hope for me in the future.’
Ms. Gillard calls on the federal government to work with state and territorial governments to ensure that more people have access to individual support after a suicide attempt.
“We want everyone who has tried to take their own life to come across this warm, friendly face and start a journey of recovery,” he said.
“Since the federal government has just changed, we will make sure that this is on the agenda of incoming ministers.”
In Australia, there has been a national push in recent years to reduce suicide rates.
Despite concerns about an increase in suicides during the pandemic, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2020 show that rates fell in 2019-2020 for both men and women.
The federal government said demand for mental health support had risen to record levels nationwide.
“We need to make sure we have the right resources so that Australians can get the care they need,” said Health and Elderly Minister Mark Butler.
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Alan’s recovery
Alan Earls says he’s glad he had a second chance. (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)
Alan Earls has had to find his own way back from suicidal thoughts.
He says helping others is a way to maintain their mental health.
He credits the Salvation Army with giving him a place to live to help him get back on track.
“I was lucky. Someone made a leap of faith and gave me a second chance,” he said.
“Once I have a roof over my head, I could have a bad day and then go home and have my own safe space where I’m not at risk.
“It’s been a game changer for me.”
He now helps others by volunteering as a peer support worker at a secure space center in the west interior of Sydney.
“There is therapeutic value in doing something for another person and not expecting anything in return,” he said.
Most aftercare is provided through public hospitals or public mental health services.
Mrs Gillard would like further care programs to be developed in Australia.
“It’s really unfair that your access to this kind of help depends on where you live in Australia,” he said.
The call has the support of other mental health organizations. Lifeline has been piloting a subsequent care program called Eclipse, which has also been successful.
Alan Earls says helping others is a way to maintain their mental health. (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)
Lifeline’s head of research, Anna Brooks, says governments need to make it as easy as possible for people to get help.
“It’s important to think about people who haven’t been hospitalized; how do we make sure they have a way to access support?” said Dr. Brooks.
“Things like providing services digitally and in person can remove barriers to access.”
Dr. Brooks agrees that access to aftercare can make a big difference.
“It’s not destiny; suicide can be largely prevented,” he said.
“If we can support the right interventions and help people the way they want to be helped, then we can change the course.”
Alan Earls had to figure out his own recovery from a mental health crisis. (ABC News: Brendan Esposito)
Alan Earls urges anyone struggling to ask for help.
“Talk to your GP, Lifeline, Beyond Blue or find a safe space,” he said.
“The sooner you receive some assistance, the sooner you will be able to begin the path to recovery.”
Posted 23 hours ago 23 hours ago Thu, June 9, 2022 at 6:39 pm, updated 13 hours, 13 hours ago, Friday, June 10, 2022 at 4:37 AM