BUSSELTON mother Trena Galonski has endured what no parent should – losing a son to suicide.
Gut wrenching, is the best way to describe how Ms Galonski felt watching her son suffer.
With World Suicide Prevention day on September 10 and Mental Health Awareness Week in October, two years after his tragic death, Ms Galonski remembers her son Daniel and how it could have been different for him.
She said she wanted other people to know her story and be more aware of loved ones at risk.
And she has called for more resources into suicide prevention in the South West.
From a young age Ms Galonski knew Daniel battled demons.
As a teenager Daniel starting talking about death and that was when the anti-social behaviour began.
It was not until Daniel started taking drugs in his late teens that he was diagnosed with drug-induced bi-polar.
After the diagnoses Daniel received some care with two mental health case workers.
While Daniel was on medication he managed life well but always felt tired and couldn’t do what he loved most – farming.
“He was so passionate about farming, he would do anything for the animals,” Ms Galonski said.
As a result, Daniel was on and off his medication.
Over the years people around Daniel pulled him back from the brink many times.
“He always had the strength in him to come back,” Daniel’s Aunty Dianne Heath said.
Life got harder for Daniel when he had a falling out with an employee.
Things settled down for a little while when Daniel met his former partner Cara-Lee.
When Daniel’s partner was pregnant he decided to go to rehab.
“He filled out the forms, went to the place and they refused him and said he didn’t want it enough,” Ms Galonski said.
“He was always fighting against the wind his whole life.”
The addiction to drugs didn’t go away and one day Daniel scared himself with his anger.
Daniel went into Bunbury’s mental health ward where Ms Galonski said she wanted him to stay.
“They need to listen more to the families who know their loved ones best,” she said.
As a nurse Ms Galonki worked in Kununurra and said the mental health support for Indigenous people there was outstanding.
“Why can’t they have the same support here?” she said.
Daniel was let out the next day and he took the bus to his aunt’s house.
Ms Heath said when he arrived; she knew he was in a fragile state.
Daniel used his aunt’s phone to call his mother and say goodbye.
Ms Heath was the last person to see Daniel alive.
He passed away on September 12, 2012.
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Lamp Inc chief executive officer Lorrae Loud agreed with Ms Galonski about the lack of resources in the area.
Lamp Inc has an early intervention and education program in some of the schools which she said was key to prevention.
However, funding has been cut for the program and it will stop in December.
“The sector is already lacking and with less funding it is a step backwards,” she said.
Ms Loud has been lobbying the state government to provide assurances that they will continue to help the organisation when contracts are reviewed in 2016.
State mental health minister Helen Morton said suicide was a huge concern for the whole community.
“Since 2009 the state government has invested $21 million in the WA Suicide Prevention Strategy,” she said.
“I am pleased that the South West region has received approximately $30,000 for local suicide prevention initiatives targeting young people.”
If this story raises issues for you or a family member contact Beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Have your say about mental health in the South West.
Email to jemillah.bickerton@fairfaxmedia.com.au
