After losing two close friends to suicide while in his late teens, the now 25-year-old knows all too well the effect suicide can have on families and the wider community.
“They were both part of sporting teams I played with. One of them from my soccer team, the other from a footy team,” Ibbotson said.
“I suppose being quite young I didn’t understand the full extent of how it effects everyone.
“To see the impact it had through the footy club, their schools and then the rest of their families.”
A tough and relentless defender on the field, Ibbotson wants to use his experience growing up to let people know it’s okay to ask for help.
“It’s invaluable to know that you’ve got someone or somewhere to turn,” he said.
“It doesn’t just have to be Lifeline, it can be a parent, a friend or a school teacher, it can be anyone that you feel comfortable talking to.”
Lifeline WA delivers services that aim to prevent suicide, support people in crisis and create opportunities for emotional wellbeing.
One of their services includes a national 24/7 telephone counselling service, which receives 1250 calls per day, of which 35-50 will be from people at a high-risk of suicide.
“It really bothers me to think that people could be experiencing what I experienced when I was younger,” Ibbotson said
“To know that it is so easily preventable, to be able to pick up the phone and have someone to talk to.
“It could be a five-minute chat once or an ongoing conversation, but to have that talk can really make a difference.
“The time I have spent working with Lifeline WA, and seeing what they do through the community, has made me realise that they make such a difference to not only the individual but also the community.”
Stress Down Day is tomorrow, Friday 26 July 2013
Black Diamond Ball
If you are in emotional distress, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
