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Trigger warning: suicide and suicidal ideation

This week we have the privilege to talk to someone with incredible experience working in the mental health space.

Ken Meldrum has a history of being a registered nurse for 46 years working mainly in Rural, Remote Health and Mental Health. He specialised in Suicide Prevention and Men’s Health during the last 20 years.

Ken retired from Qld Health 5 years ago and has since been employed with Lifeline Community Recovery, Stand By Support after Suicide Service and currently is working with Uniting Care Farmer to Farmer Support Service across Southern Qld and Far North Qld.

Ken also established a Suicide Prevention Network since retirement in Boonah, Qld, through which he was able to raise money to establish two Blue Tractors within that farming community with the sign saying “Feeling Blue – Get Help” which has raised a lot of interest and sparked many conversations around suicide and suicide prevention. Other Communities across Qld, NSW and Tasmania are also establishing similar structures.

Since May Ken has worked with old friends he has known for over 50 years from the motorcycling community to establish Blue Bikes on busy roads across Norther NSW and Qld with the same message, initially three were planned from March last year but the number is now approaching 20, we established a not-for-profit organisation titled the Blue Motorcycle Project Inc and a Facebook Group with now over 600 members.

In this episode he shares:

-      His life before working in nursing and how early experiences shaped his perspective of suicide

-      His entry into nursing, work in jails and psychiatric wards, and the “baptism of fire” training that shaped his approach

-      His encounters with people who took their own lives and the impact of losing patients and friends unexpectedly

-      How rural and remote work and Indigenous community experience exposed the scale and causes of suicide risk

-      The Blue Tractor and Blue Motorcycle Project—why visible roadside blue machinery/bikes start conversations about suicide

-      The power of practical community-focused prevention

-      His own lived experience of suicidal ideation, the protective factors that kept him alive, and what recovery looked like

-      How connection, simple listening (“do no harm”), and community partnerships can reduce isolation and save lives

Key Quotes

"I just fell into a really dark place and I started to have real thoughts about taking my life."

"It's the lack of connections, the loss of connections that cause the problem. Once people become isolated, that's when they're at risk."

"The bottom line, the most important thing we can do is do no harm. Sit down and listen to ’em. Let them know someone cares."

More about

If you feel you are struggling, you can reach out to the services below:

·      Lifeline Counselling Service: 13 11 14 (24-hours)

·      NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 (24-hours)

·      Royal Prince Alfred Hospital crisis service: 9515 6111 (ask for after-hours crisis workers)

·      Beyondblue Support Service: 1300 224 636

·      Headspace: 1800 650 890

·      Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

·      MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

You can get involved with the podcast online

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If you want to contact the podcast, email us here: [email protected]

Or check out our website: www.Challengesthatchangeus.com

If you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website:

http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au

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