The recent death of former teen TV heartthrob Dieter Brummer at age 45 has struck a deep chord with many Australians.
The one-time actor, who played Shane Parrish from 1992-96 in long-running Network Seven soapie Home and Away, committed suicide at his parents’ home in Sydney’s north-west in late July, apparently having lost all hope (and money) after he was forced out of work in his high-rise window cleaning business by lockdown.
His family released a statement farewelling the “handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved Dieter. He has left a massive hole in our lives and our world will never be the same.”
His devastated mother, Dawn, 84, is now writing a book about her son to cope with her own grief and to help others battling mental health issues.
“I’m hoping that the book will help people who are suffering from a depressed state of mind,” she says. “That’s filling my life now, I’m just writing, writing, writing.”
Dieter was to have started a new job with an old mate when lockdown meant construction work was shut down in Sydney for two weeks.
In his tragic last Facebook posts, Dieter paid tribute to his mate/new employer for “rescuing” him and how he excited and grateful he was for the opportunity.
His grieving mate said: “’The lockdown thing took the wind out of his sails.”
Another friend, Danny Rizk, who was working at casting agents Mullinars when Dieter got his big break said: “Of all the deaths in the creative services business, this one has unnerved me. To anyone reading this, mental illness is not a hoax.
“It is significant on every border because it truly eats away at one’s core.”
CRISIS LINES BOMBARDED DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
While the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) indicates rates of suicide have not increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (or perhaps stats have not yet reflected the true picture), the use of crisis lines for those contemplating suicide or self-harm, suffering depression or extreme anxiety, have skyrocketed.
The stresses of isolation, unemployment, financial distress, loneliness, relationship issues, fear, and despair of what the future holds, and extreme boredom are key contributors.
On Monday, August 3, Lifeline recorded its busiest day in its history – 3,345 calls – an outcome likely linked to current lockdowns.
On the same day, in a shocking turn of events, Kids Helpline also achieved record numbers.
“Phone counselling is the fastest way to get help and start talking,” the organisation says. “You can call us on 1800 55 1800, anytime and for any reason.
“It’s FREE to call – including from your mobile. You can also call from any public phone or landline for free too.”
Last month, Lifeline chairman John Brogden – businessman and former Leader of the Opposition in the NSW Legislative Assembly – said calls had spiked, which he said was both concerning and reassuring, because while it meant people were struggling it also meant they were seeking help.
“It is okay not to be okay, but please reach out for help, don’t suffer in silence, whether it’s ringing your friend, GP, counsellor or psychologist, whether it’s ringing organisations like Lifeline, there has been a phenomenal increase in our calls,” said Mr Brogden, who once tried to commit suicide.
His attempt on his own life was in 2015, just a day after stepping down from the NSW Liberal leadership. Then 36, he was found unconscious late at night in his electorate office on Sydney’s northern beaches after concerns for his welfare were raised with police.
John Brogden
After several scandals he felt there was no other way out. He locked his office, drank gin and cut his wrists.
“Experiences like mine show there is a way back,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald in 2016. And yet suicide, he points out, still remains off-limits.
“About 25,000 people have killed themselves since I tried. If 25,000 people had been killed in domestic violence or on the roads, we’d be doing something about it, and we’re not.”
Adds Suicide Prevention Australia, CEO, Nieves Murray: “Fortunately, while there has been a rise in the use of mental health services and an increase in psychological distress there hasn’t been a rise in deaths by suicide.
“I strongly encourage people to take a proactive approach when it comes to their mental health and to seek support if they need it.”
“The recent lockdowns have significantly shifted the social and economic landscape in Australia and will exacerbate the risk factors that are clearly linked to distress such as economic hardship, employment, relationship breakdown and loneliness, particularly for young people.”
Ms Murray urged Australians to check in on friends and family, particularly those who might be alone during lockdown.
Nieves Murray
“For parents, grandparents and careers, it’s important to find time for regular check-ins with the young people in your lives, particularly if you notice things don’t seem quite right,” she says.
“You do not have to go this alone.
“Help is always available no matter who you are or what situation you are in. If you are feeling distress, please reach out and access the various support services that are available.”
AMBULANCE ATTENDANCES FOR ATTEMPTED SUICIDE OR DELIBERATE SELF-HARM
In NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT, ambulances attended a total of around 22,400 incidents involving suicide attempts or thoughts during the months of March, June, September, and December of 2020.
While higher rates of deaths by suicides were seen in men, the rates of ambulance attendances for suicide attempts and intentional self-injury were higher for women.
More ambulances were called for young women aged 15-19 for self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts than for any other age group.
The data also revealed from 2008 to 2020, the rate of self-harm hospitalisation in girls aged 14 and younger doubled, peaking in 2016-17, prior to the pandemic.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) deputy CEO Matthew James said young women aged 18-24 also had the largest proportion of high or very high levels of psychological distress of any age group.
“We were seeing an upward trend there prior to COVID,” he said.
National Mental Health Commission CEO Christine Morgan said the figures were worrying.
“I think we all have to acknowledge it is concerning when we see those increased rates continuing for psychological distress, for self-harm, for suicide attempts,” she said.
“It is certainly something that, across the sector, our colleagues are working towards better understanding.”
AUSTRALIAN COVID-19 SUICIDE RESEARCH
The University of Melbourne has called on all Australian researchers planning or already conducting suicide-related research regarding the COVID-19 pandemic to share their research updates and ideas as part of the National Leadership in Suicide Prevention Research project.
The team at the university, in collaboration with Life in Mind, are seeking to identify the best ways to connect and coordinate researcher efforts in Australia.
Led by Professor Jane Pirkis and Dr Lennart Reifels, the project links researchers with interests in this area to both facilitate and improve the sharing of resources. This will allow the research community to conduct stronger research, minimise duplication of effort, and ensure community members at heightened risk are not over-burdened with research requests.
“There is considerable concern about how the impacts of mental health around the COVID-19 pandemic may affect suicide rates, both in Australia and elsewhere,” says Dr Reifels.
“Suicide prevention researchers worldwide have been contemplating projects designed to inform our understanding about how we might best keep people safe and well emotionally.
“There are obviously ethical and practical complexities in conducting suicide prevention research during a pandemic.
“We all want to make sure that our research serves the greater good and does no harm.
“Several of our suicide prevention colleagues in the UK have joined forces to make sure that their efforts are as streamlined as possible for this reason.
“As part of the National Leadership in Suicide Prevention Research project, we are seeking to assist in coordinating our efforts in Australia too.”
If you are an Australian researcher planning or conducting suicide-related research regarding COVID-19, contact the research team.
WHERE TO SEEK HELP IN CRISIS
If you or anyone you know needs help:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au. Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention.
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or https://kidshelpline.com.au/
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978 or https://www.mensline.org.au/
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au
Beyond Blue’s coronavirus support service: 1800 512 348 or coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au
Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
ReachOut: 1300 659 467 or au.reachout.com
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) on 1800 008 774
