After 20 years with the Albury tax office, Catherine McAlpine decided she wanted to make a change in her life.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
She made the decision to devote herself to mental health counselling full-time, starting up Just Suicide Prevention with the aim of challenging the stigma and myth that surrounds suicidal thoughts in the Border.
“I became aware of how ignorant I’d been, and thought it was quite possible many other people were too,” she said.
“Some think people who are having suicidal thoughts actually want to die, but we know that's not true. Generally speaking, they just want to escape pain.
“And more often than not, that’s emotional pain. Whether from rejection, a loss of a job, situational things.”
Just Suicide Prevention would host seminars for workplaces and community groups such as footy clubs, and also provide one-on-one counselling.
Ms McAlpine hoped the treatment of mental health would be normalised and regarded much the same as dealing with physical injury.
“The same way workplaces do first aid courses, they should be doing a suicide awareness course,” she said.
“We need to make it as ordinary as any of their workplace safety training they give their staff.”
The notion one should not ask someone about suicidal thoughts because it would put the idea in their head was wrong, according to Ms McAlpine.
“The suicidal prevention message is one of hope,” she said. “Thoughts are just thoughts, we don't have to act on them. Just because you have that thought, it doesn't mean there's no hope. And I would encourage people to reach out if they are in that place.”
Ms McAlpine had previously been a phone counsellor at Lifeline for three years prior to quitting the tax office.
“It made me realise that perhaps I'd missed my calling – you could think of me as a first aid trainer, but in suicide prevention,” she said.
She then studied at the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors and received a licence from suicide intervention body LivingWorks Australia to present courses.
On Tuesday, Ms McApline with meditation expert Kathleen Howard will host a workshop on women’s mental health at Albury’s Chamber Hub from 6pm. To book, visit eventbrite.com.au and search Albury health seminar.
For information on Just Suicide Prevention, phone Ms McAlpine on 0458 445 629 or visit facebook.com/JustSuicidePrevent.
- For help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.
