In loving memory of Gary Thomas Dale
Black Dog Institute is the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, their aim is to create a mentally healthier world for everyone.
They do this through ‘translational’ research. Integrating their research studies, education programs, digital tools and apps, clinical services, and public resources to discover new solutions, foster connections and create real-world change.
Their partnerships with people with lived experience, federal, state and local governments, communities, schools, corporate Australia and others in the mental health sector enables us to drive evidence-informed change in mental health where it’s needed most.
My Updates
In loving memory of Gazza Dee
Tuesday 1st Jun As some of you may know we lost my brother Gary Dale on June 14th 2018 to the black dog.The night Gaz took his own life he visited our brother, his wife and their children. Had dinner, laughed and played with his nieces and nephew and spoke with our brother like it was any other day. They commented on how happy and vibrant he was. Gary was surrounded by people who loved him. Had family and friends who would have done anything to keep him safe. Sure we all knew he got depressed sometimes, don't we all? Nobody knew of the battle Gaz was fighting alone. The turmoil he had inside of him. This breaks my heart. This causes me so much pain. Why the silence? Why this stigma? If you have any other health condition there is no problem seeking treatment. Got high blood pressure? Get some meds. Got heart disease? More meds. Oh got an infection? Antibiotics right away, wouldn't want that to get nasty. Yet if you have a mental health condition we hide it. Like it's a shameful secret. Why? Because we live in a society that condemns people with mental illness. That publicises people at their worst and sometimes completely out of context. We live in a country where people can spend their lives building distinguished careers in defence, the police force and many more, which often cause mental illness only to be shunned and discharged from service at the first sign of problems with mental health. The irony! In some ways we are responsible. Their is a lack of education. A lack of awareness and people in general are fearful of the unknown.
People are dying every day. 3318 people died by suicide in 2019. 75% of those were male. SILENCE IS KILLING US.
Usually I spend the 14th of June heart broken. This year I want it to be a little different. I couldn't save my brothers life but maybe, just maybe this donation might save another. Maybe another family will be spared the feelings of regret, anguish and despair that our family faces every day.
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