Craig Membrey, centre wearing red and white, said the summit was a hard thing to do but hoped it would bring some good out of a bad thing.
By Melissa Meehan
IT WAS a sad and sombre afternoon, many left with their hearts heavy and eyes bloodshot from weeping as parents of children who died from suicide told their stories.
More than 200 people filled the City of Casey council chambers to take part in the Summit on Youth Suicide organised by Holt MP Anthony Byrne.
Berwick’s Craig Membrey, whose 17-year-old son Rowan ended his own life in March 2011, said he was pleased with the turnout.
“It’s opening a big can of worms,” he said.
“It won’t bring my boy back but maybe it will turn a bad into a good.
“It’s been tough, but we want people to talk about it and break the taboo.”
Most who attended the meeting had a connection to youth suicide, talking to members of the crowd people often knew someone who had died from suicide, while others had their own battles with mental health and bullying.
Following the official presentations by Professor Patrick McGorry and Jo Robinson, the summit was opened to questions from those in the gallery.
One by one, parents, family members and friends stood up and shared their stories with the crowd.
One mother told of how her daughter’s grief was now transferred to the rest of her family, another how no matter how many times her son sought help he never received enough support.
Susan Ametoglou’s 17-year-old daughter Estelle died from suicide in December 2011 – just one day before her 18th birthday.
The Berwick mother of three other daughters said the summit was important to shine a light on and create awareness about teenage suicide.
“It helped me, I needed to tell my story to show others the pain it causes,” Ms Ametoglou said.
“It has affected my whole family, Estelle’s pain has transferred to the rest of us.”
She said it was important for teens with depression and suicidal tendencies to see the heartache caused to the family once they were gone.
“They never see this side of things,” she said.
“I think they romanticise it a little, they just don’t understand that they had mental issues and that help is out there.”
One brave young woman in her twenties stood up, her voice wavering, and spoke about her own battle with depression.
She slammed the mental health system for their waiting lists and said 12 visits a year was not nearly enough, especially if the psychologist’s solution was to have a cup of tea and go for a walk.
With so many members wanting to tell their stories the summit went an hour longer than was planned. It ended with many more still wanting to tell their stories.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
