Megan Krakouer and Gerry Georgatos work extensively in the suicide prevention space. Here they share their experiences supporting children on the run from child protection, reuniting families and discuss the catastrophe of Australia’s world record high rate of child removals. “I think of eight young children, now orphans, who found their dad after his suicide […]
The Stringer
By Gerry Georgatos & Megan Krakouer “I remember a father who found his son hours after his suicide. The father lay his son down and cradled his body through the night until responders arrived in the morning,” Gerry Georgatos “I can never forget the journey of a single parent mother of six young children, who […]
Gerry Georgatos – In 2014, I disaggregated to the Kimberley’s First Nations peoples, the nation’s highest suicide rate, one of the world’s highest, at over 70 suicides per 100,000 population (First Nations), thereabouts seven times the national rate. Fortunately, although there is a devastatingly long way to go, the suicide rate has been reduced to […]
Gerry Georgatos – More than 51 months ago I wrote an article on the imperatives of forgiveness and redemption. This remains true. We journey together in one form or another, we can either salt the earth or jag the road, cruelly encumber. In dealing daily with suicidality, with the most harrowed individuals and families, in […]
By Gerry Georgatos – Trae lost his eleven-year-old brother to suicide. Nine months later he lost his mother to suicide. Trae was the last to see his brother. Half an hour later he went looking for his little brother. In the booklet for young Peter’s funeral, Rhoda was quoted, “My baby boy, I will miss you […]
Gerry Georgatos – Children as young as 9 years have been lost to suicide, three in fact in recent years. Australians should ask, why? Proportionally, more children aged 14 years and less have been lost so far this century compared to last century. Death by suicide of children cannot, and never should, remain shrouded in […]
By Dr Joseph Ting – On returning to Brisbane as Antarctic Expedition doctor 12 months ago, I sought the infusion of fertile green to clear the anaemic ice-white mind fog incited by my lengthy immersion “On the Ice.” I lay spread–eagled to try match my overheated form to the sparse shade conferred by the desiccated crown of my favourite curtain-fig […]
Gerry Georgatos – Tragically, 2019, will report the highest ever Australian suicide toll. I estimate in excess of 3,200 Australian lives lost. Alarmingly, Victoria will report its highest ever suicide toll, thereabouts 700 lives lost. NSW and Queensland will each report thereabouts 800 lives lost. Much of the commitments by our Commonwealth, State and Territory […]
By Delphene Fraser – A fortnight ago, the Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced there is to be a restructure of government departments and consolidation of portfolios to operate under a minimum government. The announcement should not have been a surprise, as it was an election promise of the Morrison government to reduce public service numbers. […]
Gerry Georgatos – A mother suicides, a father suicides, their child was a suicide. Not once has this occurred but untold times. Over the years I have warned of mothers and fathers that would be near certain lost to suicide if they were not supported. Several years ago, an eleven-year-old child took his life. His […]
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