Suicide by Internet

This photograph is of Stephanie Gestier and Jodie Gater, two sixteen year olds from Melbourne. Stephanie and Jodie were friends. Last Sunday, these beautiful girls, who had been missing for a week, were found hanging from trees in the Dandenong Ranges. An apparent suicide pact.

An unbelievable tragedy for their family, friends and community.

While the real reason underlying their action will probably never be known, much attention has been given to the fact that both girls had posted about their depressed mood on MySpace in the months leading up to their their deaths. Stephanie had written explicitly about suicide.

The role of the internet in suicide is growing. Many cases of internet-related suicide have now been recorded worldwide, reflected by the setting up of a bizarre website specifically to record MySpace users who have died.

Interaction between adolescents, being able to share experiences during what can sometimes be a difficult time, is a good thing but it can also be the proverbial double-edged sword. The internet and sites such as MySpace take an individual outside of their normal environment and can potentially expose them to a wide range of ideas and experiences, not necessarily all positive. While understanding that adolescence is a time of striving for autonomy, this tragic story also highlights the need to know who your child is talking to and what they are doing online. A very fine balancing act for any parent.

Most experts agree that during adolescence, it is critical is to be available to listen, be alert to warning signs and to keep the lines of communication open, even though it may not always be easy to do so. For more on risk factors and warning signs for teen suicide, please read this article by Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg, Adolescent Psychologist.

If you are experiencing distress, please talk to someone now. The following helpline numbers are available 24 hours. Please note these numbers are valid for Australia only.

Lifeline 131 114

Kids Helpline 1800 551800

Suicide Prevention Crisis Line - (02) 9331 2000

For details of emotional distress/suicide helplines worldwide, please access the Befrienders Worldwide website.

1 every 4 days

Australia is in the grips of a drought. For city-slickers like me, it has meant the introduction of tough water restrictions. No sprinklers, no hosing of cars or hard surfaces. Hoses to be used to water gardens Sundays and Wednesdays before 10am and after 4pm.

I never had the perfect garden. I have the blackest of thumbs, even though many Australian plants are extremely hardy and have made a good stand against me. I'm afraid my garden stands out like a sore thumb in this picture perfect suburb of pristine lawns and immaculate garden beds. Today, in the midst of water restrictions, I host a dustbowl in my front yard.

Some people still have their beautiful lawns. People love their gardens, some enough to even flaunt the restrictions. Watering the lawn as if life was dependent on it.

Ironic really because, not too far away, the drought really is costing lives.

If city dwellers feel the bite of the drought as they watch their gardens dry up and their cars go dirty, they should spare a thought for the Australian farmers who livelihood is dependent on what so many of us take for granted.

Every four days one Australian farmer commits suicide.

I heard this figure today and it shocked me.

"People are coming to terms with the fact that they will have some substantial losses this year. We are seeing a lot of people who feel very alone, very isolated … the reality is starting to set in as each day goes by without rain."

Jock Laurie, President of NSW Farmers Association

Add to this the paucity of mental health services in rural Australia and it shouldn't really be a surprise. In many remote areas of Australia, mental health is offered on a 'fly in, fly out' basis. Read the tragic story of Klay Stevens here.

Although tragically late for some, the problem is finally getting recognition, with a push to improve rural mental health provision. In May of this year, a Mental Health Network was set up for farmers to seek assistance. An overview of the organisation, its goal and participants can be accessed from the Mental Health Network site.

If you wish to join the NSW Farmers Rural Mental Health Network or would like more information on this initiative, you can contact the NSW Farmers Association on 1300 794 000, (02) 8251 1700 or email emailus@nswfarmers.org.au.

Other important numbers (Australia only):

Lifeline 131114

Mensline Australia 1300 789 978

Victorian Statewide Suicide Helpline 1300 651 251