Weekend focus 12 Ashburton Guardian
It was World Suicide Prevention Day earlier this week, prompting one Ashburton woman to tell her story of what it is like to be driven to commit such a serious act. Susan Sandys reports. ‘Cheryl’ is on the path to recovery after three suicide attempts.
PHOTO KIRSTY CLAY 130913-KC-020
The reality behind the mask
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shburton woman Cheryl (not her real name) is bubbly and charming. She works in customer service and often people will remark on her friendly nature. “It’s basically a mask people put on so others don’t know,” she said. She did not want to give her name for this story as she would not want her customers or fellow workers to know of her inner struggles. Plus she enjoyed her job, so wanted to keep it, and did not want to deal with the stigma often associated with mental health issues. Her inner struggles are depression and suicidal tendens out cies. In her early 30s today, Cheryl ice back first began to suffer depresm into sion at the age of 19 after she
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Saturday, September 14, 2013
was raped by a boyfriend. The depression did not lift and she went to see a psychiatrist in Christchurch. “He was really arrogant, he didn’t seem to really care, he said - you are not bad enough to need help,” she said. Cheryl thought she would prove him wrong and at the age of 20 tried to overdose on Panadol and laxatives. She admits now it was a cry for help. Within half an hour of taking the tablets she phoned her course tutor whom she knew well, who took her to hospital. She recovered with mental health care and counselling support, but in January this year once again found herself in a low place. She had joined a sports club and found bullying comments from one or two
of the male members, such as ‘when is your baby due?’ insinuating she was overweight, got to her. Although a healthy weight, she had a negative body image and had suffered an eating disorder in the past. Her psychologist was finetuning her antidepressant medication at the time, and could not prescribe the more expensive tablets she needed until she had tried another one. One Sunday evening she took 30 anti-depressant pills, and within half an hour started to feel dizzy, sweat profusely and have heart palpitations. She remembered she had a crisis line phone number in her cell phone, which she had put there many months ago but never used. She phoned it, and
the operator told her to call an ambulance. Cheryl overdosed on tablets again a couple of months ago, and this time went to her neighbours. They called an ambulance. She said she was grateful to those neighbours who continued to support her to this day. “They say it doesn’t matter what time of day or night, if I need help, even if you’re in your pyjamas, knock on the door and come and see us.” Cheryl found out what it was like for friends and relatives of those attempting to commit suicide just a month ago when a friend sent her a text, saying he wanted to get out. It ended up not being as serious as what she had interpreted, as he was meaning out of the city he was
living in, rather than ending his life. After that experience she realised how her parents must have felt when they heard about her suicide attempts. “I said to my mum ‘I’m not doing it anymore, I’m actually just going to ring for help’. No matter how hard it is, I don’t want mum and dad to go through that.” She believes she is now on the road to recovery, as she is taking the correct antidepressant medication and receiving good counselling support. And the advice she had for others who were considering suicide was to talk to a trusted friend, family member or other person such as a member of the local church, or phone one of the crisis lines in their telephone directory.
Let us entertain you!
211a Wills Street, Ashburton Phone 307 2010 www.ateventcentre.co.nz
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The award winning rock musical The National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts’ showcase of 2013 focuses on the lives of two young men in the Vietnam era against the backdrop of the hippie culture. Sat 14th 2pm + 7.30pm Sun 15th 2pm Adult $47, Senior/Students $32
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NZ TRIO
(ARTS ON TOUR NZ)
These rock stars of classical music have thrilled audiences for over 10 years with a refreshing and diverse repertoire. Justine Cormack (violin), Ashley Brown (cello) and Sarah Watkins (piano) Sun 15 Sep|7.30pm $25 each $20 each for 4 or more
OPERA FAVOURITES
Mid Canterbury Childrens Theatre
Join the Mid Canterbury Choir for its Spring Concert. You will enjoy excerpts from well-known operas, lighter operas and operettas – With international soprano Lois Johnston and Wellington-based Tenor Oliver Sewell
Don’t miss this year’s production with a huge variety of lively characters for you to explore. From a feisty and rebellious princess, a fast talking Genie and an evil villain, to a comedic parrot, a fatherly sultan and a charming prankster.
Sat 21 Sep | 7pm |Adults $25, Senior/Students $20
Fri-Sun 4-6 Oct |$20 Fri + Sat 7pm, Sun 2pm
jGeeks
Eggs Factor Tour - Bigger. Badder. Browner New Zealand’s craziest metro Maori return to Ashburton with their eggs factor Maori madness with swinging hips, music, dancing and a big punnet of ghost chips.
Sun 6 Oct | 7.30pm GA $12