Guy Sebastian Joins Local Griffith Figures In Pledging Support To Tackle Regional Suicide

State MP for Murray Helen Dalton said she’s been inundated with offers of support after raising the issue of regional youth suicide on her Facebook page. “We’ve had a tough time in the Riverina, with three apparent teenage suicides in the space of two weeks,” Mrs Dalton said.

“Singer Guy Sebastian messaged me, offering to fund a mental health program in 20 schools across my electorate through his charity The Sebastian Foundation.

“I’ve got in touch with schools and some have already taken up the offer. Locals have also rallied around the cause. Marc Johnson of Griffith Anytime Fitness has offered to send trainers to schools to do fun exercise classes, and a number of constituents asked where they could make donations.”

Mrs Dalton said not all responses were positive.

Rebecca Oxenbould, manager of the Sebastian Foundation, put those theories to bed.

“There is absolutely no link between The Sebastian Foundation and any religious organisation or belief system,” she said.

Mrs Dalton said the Open Parachute course they offer is on the Beyond Blue/Be You In Australia website and covers important issues like social media, bullying and addiction.

“I’m meeting with Headspace next week,” Mrs Dalton said.

Mrs Dalton said support from the NSW Government had been less forthcoming. “I have written to a number of Ministers asking for funding for programs and more support,” she said.

“I invited NSW Mental Health Minister Bronnie Taylor to the Riverina to learn about the problem. She is yet to come back to me with a date.”

The Murrumbidgee has almost three times the suicide rate of Sydney, yet not one hospital in my electorate has a mental health unit. Mrs Dalton has urged residents to print out and sign a petition from Goolgowi resident Marie Clarke to include mental health services in local hospitals.

The small town of Goolgowi, near Griffith, has also been hit by recent suicides. The petition can be found on Helen Dalton’s website www.helendalton.com.au Mrs Dalton is also organising a meeting with young people in her electorate to canvas their ideas and put proposals to the NSW Government.

• Topics:

• Mental Health and Welbeing