1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,440 Speaker 1: Today, as we know is are you Okay Day? 2 00:00:02,840 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 2: It is an opportunity really to us those around you 3 00:00:05,400 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 2: if they are okay. But it's also an opportunity really 4 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:11,040 Speaker 2: to get us speaking about mental health and breaking down 5 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 2: that stigma. Now many of you will know Lydia Dilembo, 6 00:00:14,720 --> 00:00:16,560 Speaker 2: and we've heard her on the show a number of 7 00:00:16,560 --> 00:00:20,160 Speaker 2: times in recent years. Lydia is the founder of Sabrina's 8 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:23,680 Speaker 2: Reach for Life following the loss of her beautiful daughter Sabrina. 9 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:27,880 Speaker 2: Now this year they are really pleased to present the 10 00:00:27,920 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 2: twenty twenty two World Suicide Prevention Day Forum. Now it 11 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:34,360 Speaker 2: is all aimed at bringing together key stakeholders in the 12 00:00:34,400 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 2: sector to create more awareness, reduce stigma, share strategies programs, 13 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 2: and identify recommendations for reducing the incidents of suicide across 14 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory. Now the event is happening tomorrow and 15 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 2: I'm really pleased to say that joining me in the 16 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 2: studio this morning is indeed Lydia Dilembo. 17 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:56,240 Speaker 1: Good morning to you, Lydia. 18 00:00:56,080 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 3: Good morning Katie. 19 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:01,040 Speaker 2: And also one of my friends and presenter at the forum, 20 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 2: Addison Joy Harper, Good morning to you. 21 00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: Good morning, Katy, how are you going yeah, really. 22 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:07,200 Speaker 2: Well, it is wonderful to have you both in the 23 00:01:07,240 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 2: studio this morning, and and look, I know that that 24 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 2: tomorrow is obviously going to be a fantastic event in 25 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:18,400 Speaker 2: terms of getting those discussions happening LYDIA. 26 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:21,400 Speaker 1: Firstly, what really is the aim of the forum. 27 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 3: Katie, as it is every year we are trying to 28 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:28,200 Speaker 3: make sure that at least once a year we do 29 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 3: get together in the sector to raise awareness and have 30 00:01:31,800 --> 00:01:36,920 Speaker 3: conversations that are much needed around suicide prevention. There's been 31 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 3: a lot happening over the last year, probably in the 32 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:43,639 Speaker 3: suicide prevention space. You know this this sort of time 33 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:47,440 Speaker 3: is a time where a lot more is happening and 34 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 3: investment is happening in suicide prevention across the country. So 35 00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:53,720 Speaker 3: you know, what are some of the lessons learned, what 36 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 3: has changed over the last year. But what else do 37 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:00,480 Speaker 3: we need to focus on going forward? And it's having 38 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 3: everyone in the tent in the room where we can collaborate, 39 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:08,640 Speaker 3: share ideas, information and talk about what are still some 40 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 3: of the gaps in the Northern Territory around suicide prevention, 41 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:15,239 Speaker 3: because we do still have a lot of work to do. 42 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 2: And that is I think a really important question to 43 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,120 Speaker 2: ask because you and I have spoken on a lot 44 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 2: of occasions in recent years. You know, where are we 45 00:02:24,160 --> 00:02:27,000 Speaker 2: still falling short? What changes have we seen, and what 46 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:28,639 Speaker 2: do we still need to see. 47 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:33,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, so there's certainly been more investment federally and by 48 00:02:33,800 --> 00:02:37,680 Speaker 3: the anti government around suicide prevention. So that's great, but 49 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 3: we still need to see the rubber hitting the road, 50 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:44,119 Speaker 3: so to speak. So one of the areas that I'm 51 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:49,360 Speaker 3: passionate about is lived experience, whether it's in the mental 52 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,760 Speaker 3: health area or in suicide prevention area, we do need 53 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:55,840 Speaker 3: to engage more with people that have got that lived 54 00:02:55,880 --> 00:03:00,880 Speaker 3: experience because they are the ones who can talk about 55 00:03:00,919 --> 00:03:05,760 Speaker 3: their experienced, draw on their pain, and share what they 56 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:10,880 Speaker 3: believe should be happening, to assist those and support those 57 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 3: that are still struggling in our community. So, whether you're 58 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 3: still suffering from mental illness or whether you're bereaved by suicide, 59 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 3: you know, we do need to engage those people, and 60 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:26,760 Speaker 3: there needs to be stronger leadership in how we do that. 61 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:31,120 Speaker 3: It can't be tokenistic, you know, it's got to be meaningful, 62 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:34,040 Speaker 3: and it's got to be focused. And so there are 63 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:39,440 Speaker 3: some moves nationally to make that happen, but I have 64 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 3: to say in the territory, I still haven't seen that 65 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,839 Speaker 3: occur as much as it should. So that's that's one 66 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 3: area for sure. And I think collaboration. I think there 67 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:53,400 Speaker 3: are still services that are you know, we're all working 68 00:03:53,480 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 3: in silos, resources of finite. How can we come together 69 00:03:58,640 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 3: more to really, you know, solve those wicked problems because 70 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:07,000 Speaker 3: we still have and I don't like talking statistics, but 71 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:09,240 Speaker 3: we still do have the highest rate of suicide in 72 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:12,360 Speaker 3: the country. We still have the highest rate of people 73 00:04:12,480 --> 00:04:15,840 Speaker 3: self harming in the country or attempting suicide. So what 74 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:17,840 Speaker 3: is it that we're not doing well? 75 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 2: And this is the thing You've just I think you've 76 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:21,240 Speaker 2: just hit the nail on the head. You've got people 77 00:04:21,279 --> 00:04:24,000 Speaker 2: with lived experience, You've got people who can actually provide 78 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 2: some advice, who know firsthand. Why are we not really 79 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 2: listening to those people? 80 00:04:31,400 --> 00:04:35,840 Speaker 3: Good question. So I think they're certainly stronger leadership than 81 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,839 Speaker 3: needs to happen, not just by government, but they certainly 82 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:43,479 Speaker 3: do have a role to play. The PHN also has 83 00:04:43,480 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 3: a role to play, and all those that are funded 84 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 3: by various entities, whether it's government or non government. We 85 00:04:51,760 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 3: are needing to really focus on this a little bit 86 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 3: more because whatever we're doing, and I'm not saying that 87 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:01,920 Speaker 3: not enough is not not much has been done. There 88 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 3: has been some change, and there has been some investment 89 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 3: made in this sector, but we're still not hitting the 90 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:12,040 Speaker 3: nail on the head. We're still very early stages of 91 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:15,800 Speaker 3: trying to influence and shape how we need to do 92 00:05:15,839 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 3: things differently to cater for those that are struggling, and 93 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 3: not just people who are struggling themselves. But the other 94 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:24,680 Speaker 3: thing I see, Katie, and this is a gap, is 95 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 3: how do we better support the families that are holding 96 00:05:28,480 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 3: people and are supporting people through their struggles, whether it's 97 00:05:33,400 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 3: mental ill health or whether it's someone who's bereaved. So 98 00:05:38,279 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 3: that is still a gap, not just in the territory 99 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:43,400 Speaker 3: but also across Australia. 100 00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 1: Yeah. 101 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,799 Speaker 2: Now, Addison, you are one of the presenters this year. 102 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:50,520 Speaker 2: You're such a well known and loved member of the community. 103 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:53,160 Speaker 2: You're going to be speaking from your own lived experience 104 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:54,640 Speaker 2: as a transgender person. 105 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:56,720 Speaker 1: What can people expect to hear from you? 106 00:05:58,400 --> 00:06:02,640 Speaker 4: Well, normally very open on social media, and you know 107 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 4: in the community about my story, I don't really get 108 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:09,159 Speaker 4: to share or I don't really like to share a 109 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:11,679 Speaker 4: lot of my down moments, so I'll be talking about, 110 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:13,360 Speaker 4: you know, some of the times where I've been in 111 00:06:13,680 --> 00:06:16,560 Speaker 4: really dark places and you know, thought about suicide and 112 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:19,479 Speaker 4: how I how I got over that, how I moved 113 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:22,480 Speaker 4: on from that. And you know, my thing is message 114 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:24,359 Speaker 4: is always if I can just help one person in 115 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:27,839 Speaker 4: the community feel better about themselves and feel like, you know, 116 00:06:27,880 --> 00:06:30,359 Speaker 4: it's okay to be them, then you know my message 117 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:31,880 Speaker 4: has been passed off great. 118 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:32,919 Speaker 1: And you know, I. 119 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 2: Was almost surprised to see that you are one of 120 00:06:37,200 --> 00:06:40,920 Speaker 2: the presenters, because, as you've said you are on social media, 121 00:06:41,080 --> 00:06:45,440 Speaker 2: you are so incredibly outgoing. You're such a beautiful, happy person. 122 00:06:46,240 --> 00:06:49,159 Speaker 2: And when I'd realize that, you know, you're going to 123 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 2: be speaking about lived experience, I thought, goodness me, I 124 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 2: know you know, like I know you, I see you 125 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 2: very often, and I did not know that about you, 126 00:06:57,480 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 2: And I think that that is actually a real like, 127 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:02,600 Speaker 2: it's actually an important thing for people to realize that 128 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:06,120 Speaker 2: that's so often people are going through something that you're 129 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:08,760 Speaker 2: not even aware of, and that we've got to support 130 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 2: each other absolutely. 131 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 4: Everybody has their dark demons, and you know, a front 132 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:16,400 Speaker 4: of mine has always been you know, being happy, loud 133 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 4: and out there and the joker of the party, but 134 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:23,040 Speaker 4: you know, it's when you're at home by yourself, you know. 135 00:07:23,080 --> 00:07:26,280 Speaker 4: And I was in a long in a relationship for 136 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 4: a really long time, but even my partner was unaware 137 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 4: of how dark and you know, deep my thoughts were. 138 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 4: But it's really good to talk about it and get 139 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:37,840 Speaker 4: it out there and just let other people know that 140 00:07:37,880 --> 00:07:40,160 Speaker 4: it is okay to have dark times. But you know, 141 00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:41,840 Speaker 4: there is a way out, There is a light at 142 00:07:41,880 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 4: the end of the tunnel, and you just have to 143 00:07:43,360 --> 00:07:43,800 Speaker 4: keep going. 144 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 2: And those discussions are so incredibly important. I reckon and 145 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:49,760 Speaker 2: we've spoken about this on numerous occasions, but it is 146 00:07:49,800 --> 00:07:52,800 Speaker 2: really about breaking down that stigma. And I don't understand 147 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 2: still while we don't talk about about mental health and 148 00:07:56,120 --> 00:07:58,360 Speaker 2: depression in the same way that we talk about every 149 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:00,040 Speaker 2: other health issue that we've got. 150 00:08:01,120 --> 00:08:05,200 Speaker 5: Absolutely there's still a lot of stigma around it, unfortunately, 151 00:08:05,480 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 5: and people who are in certain professions also, you know, 152 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 5: they're probably too scared to talk about if they're struggling 153 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 5: because it may impact their job or people in the 154 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 5: workplace having confidence in that person being able to. 155 00:08:19,280 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 3: Do their job. That's just one example, So yeah, that 156 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:29,720 Speaker 3: is still the biggest challenge destigmatizing conversations about mental ill 157 00:08:29,760 --> 00:08:33,760 Speaker 3: health and suicide because that's what we need to do 158 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 3: to help save lives. And I forgot to mention Katie five. 159 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,800 Speaker 3: The other sort of big thing happening on the forum 160 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:45,240 Speaker 3: tomorrow is that we do have two panels. So one 161 00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 3: is a youth panel, so a bunch of young people 162 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 3: are going to be sharing their thoughts and insights about 163 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:55,439 Speaker 3: what needs to happen in this space to better support 164 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:58,320 Speaker 3: young people in our community. And we also have a 165 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:01,840 Speaker 3: panel of first rect bonders, so we do have police, 166 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:07,480 Speaker 3: Saint John's Ambulance and others are also talking about what 167 00:09:07,760 --> 00:09:11,719 Speaker 3: they're doing in this space, but also to hear from 168 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 3: others and answer questions around what perhaps the community feel 169 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 3: they should be doing more of. So those two sessions 170 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 3: are going to be really key tomorrow at the forum. 171 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:25,440 Speaker 2: Now, if there is anybody listening this morning, who is 172 00:09:25,640 --> 00:09:27,440 Speaker 2: who's keen to come along to the forum. 173 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:28,880 Speaker 1: Is there still tickets available? 174 00:09:29,679 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 3: Yes, there are, so we've kept the registrations open until 175 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:37,520 Speaker 3: this afternoon. This year, the forum is going to be 176 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 3: held at Tracy Village and we hope that Yeah, that 177 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:46,120 Speaker 3: venue is the first We've had it at CDU now 178 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:48,000 Speaker 3: for a few years, but we thought we'd just changed 179 00:09:48,120 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 3: venue and see how that goes. So we're looking forward 180 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 3: to getting as many people as possible there. We do 181 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 3: already have about one hundred and twenty people registered. 182 00:09:56,840 --> 00:09:58,920 Speaker 1: That's fantastic, yeah. 183 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:00,640 Speaker 3: But they are still still something it's available. 184 00:10:00,720 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 2: Well, I'm sure that there'll be people listening this morning 185 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:04,960 Speaker 2: who are going to be super keen to head along. 186 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 2: I think it's such an important event to have happened. 187 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:10,200 Speaker 2: I really appreciate you both coming into the studio this 188 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:11,199 Speaker 2: morning ta have a chat. 189 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 1: With me Lydia before I let you go. 190 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 2: If there is anybody out there listening this morning who 191 00:10:15,320 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 2: does need support, if they're a bereaved family member who 192 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:22,440 Speaker 2: needs support or wants to reach out to somebody, what's 193 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:26,720 Speaker 2: the best point of action for them? Firstly, yep, so 194 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:30,880 Speaker 2: if they're bereeved stand by support after suicide is the 195 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 2: organization that can provide that post mentioned support. And in fact, 196 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 2: there's a workshop happening this morning that I've just escaped 197 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:40,960 Speaker 2: from to come here, So they're in town and they've 198 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 2: come in for the forum, and of course we do 199 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 2: have our number as well. We do have the monthly 200 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:50,840 Speaker 2: support group meetings that we continue to hold every month 201 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:54,079 Speaker 2: and we had it last night. And then if they're struggling, 202 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:57,440 Speaker 2: of course, Lifeline is the well known number that people 203 00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 2: should should contact if they need that support. Thank you 204 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,720 Speaker 2: both so much for your time this morning, Lydia Delembo 205 00:11:03,880 --> 00:11:05,520 Speaker 2: and Addison Joy Harper, thank. 206 00:11:05,360 --> 00:11:08,040 Speaker 1: You both for coming into the studio. Thanks Katy, thank you. 207 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,000 Speaker 2: It is just twelve minutes away from eleven o'clock. Still 208 00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 2: plenty more coming your way if you want to get 209 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,400 Speaker 2: in contact with us eight nine four one one oh 210 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 2: four nine