When the Anti Depression Association of Australia (ADAA) had the opportunity to voice their thoughts on Suicide in society they grabbed it with not two, but four hands.
Carol McLoughlin, GM of The Stress Management Institute in support, addressed the Senate Community Affairs References Committee Inquiry into Suicide in Australia. The Australia-wide Inquiry addresses a variety of topics including the accuracy and effectiveness of current suicide reporting and information, the cost suicide has on the community– both financially and personally.
The ADAA was one of only 10 organisations asked to speak at the March public hearing at Parliament House Brisbane. When asked the ADAA’s opinions on certain aspects of suicide, the association was able to present their plan for combating suicide and the stress related illnesses that lead to it throughout Australia.
“This was our opportunity to share with the Senate that there is an organization out there that is solution-focused,” Carol McLoughlin said. “We are an organization looking to partner with others and bring together people with answers to help sufferers,” she continued. The ADAA is calling for a more clientcentric approach to dealing with stress related illnesses that lead to suicide. The organization also has a commitment to providing answers by committing to research on the effectiveness of one such solution – The Fountainhead Method.
“We need a more practical, holistic, solution-based approach,” Carol said. “We need to stop describing the problem – we know there is a problem and it is good to talk about it but what do you say to save lives?” Carol continued.
The ADAA’s key is to maintain a solution focus which can be arrived at through education. The Fountainhead Method explains the cause of a stress related illness that can ultimately lead to suicide, explained Carol. “We need to ask: what makes people take that step from despair to suicide? We believe we know the answer to this, and it relates to a person’s measurement of self worth,” Carol said. And while there are many people aware that there is a problem surrounding stress related illnesses and suicide, there is only a few who are voicing not only concern, but some answers.
With this method in place, there is potential for less need for services because society’s conditioning would be re-educated and changed and the true measurement of self worth assessed. While this cannot happen overnight, the ADAA is committed to achieving a prevention of stress related illnesses and suicide. Also attending events such as the Senate Inquiry hearing are healthy steps forward for the growing association.
The entire submission experience has contributed to the ADAA as they continue their work on presenting solutions as well as awareness. The submission was prepared by Wayne Parrott (Chairman ADAA) and Carol McLoughlin.