Mental Health Connection;

crack Something magical happened this weekend. As we hit the beach to ignite one glow stick for each Australian lost to suicide in 2017. The world does what it always does and sends the right people your way.

As we slowly ignited all 3,128 glow sticks to form a picture of light, we engaged with members of the community. As we reached out, they reached backed. This is not the first time it has happened. It seems to be the more you talk about mental health the easier it is for others to open up about their journey. This annual event has been starting conversations all over the world. It is a tribute to those lost. A remembrance for those left behind and an acknowledgment for all those living with mental health challenges.

My aunt recently reminded me that one of the defining characteristic of mental health disease’s is the isolation. The inability to connect with others. The mental, emotional and physical disconnection from all the world around you. It is not always the way those suffering with mental health want it to be. Isolation is part of the struggle. It can often lead to crisis situations. Taking you down a path you may not actually want to travel. Isolation leads to that empty feeling. The hopeless thought that no one understands. “The world would be better off with out me”. Maybe even to the thought “I deserve to be alone.”

The “United InLight;” awareness for mental health connection started months ago. We asked for donations of unused glow sticks. As the saying goes, “ask and you shall receive”. Communities all over Australia reached out and offered up any sticks they had lying around, others went shopping and sent them along to us to use on the night. Before we knew it all the glow sticks needed had been raised by a caring band of people trying to keep the conversation around mental health going. Through this process we were also able to engage with members of the families who lost someone to suicide in 2017. This allowed us to put names onto some of these glow sticks as we ignited them.

Standing on the beach on the south coast of NSW beginning to form our received_311258292793385 memorial, passes by stopped to ask questions. We presented them with glow sticks for mental health. Asking if they’d like to ignite them with us. Most jumped at the chance to contribute. Individuals who were going about their day, stopped what they where doing and volunteered their time. Caring individuals, both young and old, spent hours travelling to join us. With one taking on the craziest Uber journey just be apart of the mental health conversation. Others left and came back with more friends and family. Warm hearted Individuals offered their services in drone photography. Allowing us to see the final product from heights usually reserved for seagulls and pelicans. Others still who couldn’t be there, joined us in their own way. lighting candles or glow sticks from afar. Members of this volunteer army will actually form part of next years memorial. Unfortunately for them, they had been touch by suicide quite recently. As we opened up about the glow sticks they were able to open up about their stories. These stories matter. The memories and experiences of others is how we as individuals grow and learn. The more stories we are humbled to hear, the more that knowledge and acceptance grows. The lighter we feel and the stronger the connection made.

Here’s the point. It wasn’t hard to start a conversation around mental health. It didn’t take money, planning or a huge investment. It simply required one person to reach out. Form a human connection with others. A connection created in the simplest form. Looking up and saying hello. One individual stopped focusing on their situation and said come join us. This incredibly simple act allowed stories to flow. A sharing of ideas and journeys spread forth on the soft sand and were taken with the breeze. Disappearing into the darkness of the night. The connection was left behind. It sparked a light that has spread even further throughout the world. With mental health being so isolating maybe, just maybe connection is the key to stopping it in it’s tracks. Breaking through to people who are alone, looking up from what you are doing and saying hello. Take an opportunity to engage with and learn from others. Fighting mental health and suicide is a community responsibility. It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a simple moment to keep that child safe as they grow and travel through the trials of life. One moment, out of your day that can help lower the number 3,128 next year.