The following content discusses topics related to loss and death by suicide and may be distressing for some readers. Please proceed with caution and seek support if needed.
Issues in the Yarra Ranges can often be very similar year to year, and as a community, our achievements and struggles are what bind us together.
The last few years saw the community impacted deeply as we lost some of our younger generation to teen deaths by suicide and in November, a traumatic accident saw 17-year-old Ben Austin lose his life to a sporting injury in Ferntree Gully. Crossing national and international news, the community very publicly mourned and honoured the young man, while other parts of the community mourned for teen lives lost to a topic that is quite hard to understand.
As Christmas approached, many families, friends and people were faced with horrible new firsts and a life without their dearest loved young people.
Being aware of the pain that is present, but often not something that is reported on, in this opinion piece, I wanted to acknowledge the impact of this loss. It has been a sombre and silent issue for 2025. I often reflect on words from an interview I did in 2024 with the chief executive officer of Grief Australia Christopher Hall.
With a background in psychology and nearly 30 years in his role at Grief Australia, Mr Hall said that the Australian approach to grieving is not something that we are skilled in at all.
“Our culture sees grief sort of like the flu,” he said.
Most workplace policies give a person three days’ leave for the death of a family member.
“That’s a very strong message,” said Mr Hall.
“People are fundamentally changed by profound experiences of loss, and so often when they’re wanting social support, people have moved on.”
Mr Hall said in matters of grief, as a society, we’ve still got a long way to go.
“These conversations evoke anxiety in people – we often use some other word that attempts to soften the reality of the death,” he said.
“People want to bring solutions; they want to find a way of relieving the person of this pain and suffering, which we cannot do.
“All that we can do is to accompany people, to give them the opportunity to put into words, to put out into the world their experience.”
With a personal acknowledgement, it’s in this vein that I would like to acknowledge the rallying of the community as they threw their support and considerable skill sets towards mental health and suicide prevention in the last part of 2025, while dealing with the loss of these young lives.
They won’t forget.
Mental health workshops, The Forge Institute and many meetings in many community and government groups, the end of 2025 saw the beginnings of many new initiatives to support our young people.
As these seeds are planted, on an individual level, we can all still help.
A small moment of connection with a friend, even just a quick phone call, text or catch-up, can make all the difference in a person’s week.
Connecting with someone, anyone, is not always easy; it’s vulnerable and raw, and small things matter.
There has been some evidence, popularised by American author and optimist Simon Sinek, that even eight minutes of connection in a deliberate short phone call, to check in on a loved one, can combat loneliness and build trust.
I wonder about phone calls into the future, as I seem to leave more and more messages left unheard on answering machines, but perhaps with a bit of polite intention, maybe I can text first and chat second. As my own ‘digital native’ children step further into this world, I am trying to make sure they still notice the trees, the bugs and keep their wonder.
Chido Mpemba, co-chair of the WHO Commission on Social Connection and Advisor to the African Union Chairperson, said mid-last year that even in a digitally connected world, many young people feel alone.
“As technology reshapes our lives, we must ensure it strengthens – not weakens – human connection,” he said.
As global and national events deliver news of hate, conflict and greed straight out of the gate in 2026, it can be easy to feel altogether quite useless and alone. But I have the privilege to know here where we live, there are some amazing people volunteering and working in the Yarra Ranges right now, for all of us. I see the stunning efforts these people are making every day, investing in our future. Hope is not lost.
For now, I am trying to focus on what I can do, which is to report on my community and the place I love so very much.
If you, or someone you know, is feeling overwhelmed, we encourage you to connect with Lifeline in the way you feel most comfortable.
You can phone Lifeline to speak to a Crisis Supporter on 13 11 14 (24/7), text 0477 131 114 (24/7) or chat to Lifeline online at lifeline.org.au (24/7).
