It has been another week of viewing properties where people with mental health issues, the disabled and elderly live.

Only one was a NSW Department of Housing property. Let’s call her ‘Doris’.

Doris has a mental health worker visit her regularly and she also gets assistance with shopping 5 times a week. I assumed the property would be maintained to a reasonable standard.
How wrong I was.

After a lengthy chat with Doris to help her feel at ease with me, I can look around to see what we need to do. I have a check list in my head and carefully look at Doris’ space.

• Plumbing,
• fridge,
• cooking,
• food,
• smoke detector,
• bedding, and
• showering.

Doris’ case worker is with me and we go over all the hazards in this Department of Housing unit.

• The oven didn’t work,
• the toilet didn’t flush,
• the carpet joins were torn and were trip hazards for Doris.

This situation is not all about cleaning. I stood in the shower, and I don’t get this bit…

The floor was dusty. The cake of soap was like a brick. Something was missing here. I just don’t get it.

We assume we can can do ‘normal life’ every day. You and I have access to a functioning living space. Why not Doris? The toilet didn’t flush and the shower floor was dusty – but she gets shopping help 5 times a week.

I leave Doris’ home with an offer for Clean Queens to give her living environment a make-over. I can see it will be an easy clean.

Doris needs more than a visit 5 times a week and some help with shopping .

After the ‘perfect storm of misery’ – depression, substance abuse and mental health – has hit, the services of Clean Queens is often required.

The other day I was engaged by Josh, a young man in his 30’s.  18 months ago, Josh had taken in a young 20-something year old Aaron as a new flatemate.  Aaron was a fresh-faced boy from the country who had moved to Sydney.  Josh took him under his wing, as a flat mate, friend and buddy.

As the friendship grew, Josh realised Aaron suffered depression and he supported him as much as he could.

Sadly, last week their 18 month bond ended unexpectantly.

One ordinary weeknight after a normal coversation – the next morning Josh feared the unthinkable had happened. Local police kicked down the bedroom door to get to Aaron where grim reality revealed ‘the black dog’ of depression had bit overnight.

Aaron had committed suicide in his bedroom.

Suicide by 25-34 and 35-44 year olds made up 47% of total suicide deaths in 2001. The majority of these deaths were male.

If you’re depressed, please get help. Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide callback service on 1300 659 467 are both there 24 hours 7 days a week.

In the meantime, tell someone if you’re feeling depressed. Find someone to talk to if you’ve got thoughts of suicide. I would love nothing more than to see this the dark visitor of depression and suicide to disappear completely from all of our lives.

Lifeline
Suicide call back service
MensLine Australia
Beyond Blue

Don’t delay.
Get help today.