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New help is at hand By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
Johno Brereton with his online support group ‘Survivors of Suicide’ 138547
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MONTROSE man Johno Brereton is aiming to shed a brighter light on mental illness in the region. After battling his own personal demons over the past few months, Mr Brereton is putting a positive spin on a negative situation and is urging the community to support his journey. Subsequently, he started the Facebook group ‘Survivors of Suicide’ two weeks after being discharged from hospital after a suicide attempt. Mr Brereton emphasised this site was about connecting people and encouraging them to branch out and seek assistance, rather than any form of online counselling. “The cause of the Facebook page is to have awareness, so people can have somewhere to get help and express their opinions,� he said. “It’s also an opportunity for people to tell their stories as well and to get it out there.� Although the page has only been live for about six weeks, it has already had a lasting impact on its founder. “It’s actually directly saved one woman’s life,� he said. “She was unable to call Lifeline because of various reasons and I gather it’s because it’s impersonal for her to call someone she didn’t know. “She rang me and wanted some help and advice and today, a week later, she is doing a lot better.� Despite the page only recently being established, more than 500 people have liked it and many have begun sharing their own stories about mental illness. “I want it to be a forum for people to be able to speak out, for people to be able to voice their issues, people to be able to find help, people to be able to refer other people to,� he said. Mr Brereton said, interestingly, the page had a substantial leaning towards female participants, with presently only two male subscribers. “When I initially started it, I didn’t know what it would involve or where it would go and as it’s grown, I’ve been able to nail my focus,� he said. “That’s where I want (the page) to go now (more male participation). Continued on page 3