Young leads walk to beckon sunshine through the clouds

After Safety Bay resident Sharon Young’s nephew took his own life 18 months ago, she turned the agony of losing him into something positive, by leading an Out of the Shadows walk.

“I had never experienced suicide before my nephew passed and there weren’t really any noticeable warning signs,” Ms Young said.

The Compassionate Friends manager Margot McAllister said many family members who lost loved ones were in high-risk categories for taking their own lives as well.

Ms McAllister, who works for the Mandurah-based bereavement service, said suicide can affect anyone at any time, and statistics were higher than road fatalities and was the leading cause of death for Australians under the age 44.

“One person commits suicide every four hours in this country and that affects at least 10 people immediately, and the ripple effect can be hundreds,” she said.

The Out of the Shadows Walk took place in six places in WA and 57 across Australia.

World Suicide Prevention Day is this week and coincides with R U OK day tomorrow.

For more information and support visit www.lifeline.org.au or www.tcfmandurah.com.au.

If you or someone you know needs help phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.