People in Batemans Bay may have noticed some activity at the Hanging Rock Sporting Complex over the past week.
One Bay resident has been working on a project over the past two years, to have murals painted on the water tanks, at the end of the rugby union field.
Inspired by the loss of her son, Sean to suicide in late 2019, Deanne Griffin, told East Coast Radio she wanted to clean up the ugly tanks and add murals with a message.
“Suicide rates remain at alarming levels, particularly in the 15-24 year-old range where it’s the leading cause of death,” Ms Griffin said.
“I wanted the message to say to our youth that they matter, they’re valued and they need to be respected and supported,” she said.
“They need to look out for each other, speak up when they struggle and for adults, parents, teachers, coaches and communties to listen and understand without judgement or detrimental platitudes like ‘toughen up’ or ‘get over it’.
“There are so many avenues for support and there is no shame, in fact there is strength in reaching out.”
Ms Griffin also wants to raise awareness that suicide is not only a mental health issue that follows a lengthy battle.
“It is now recognised that suicide can largely be attributed to situational distress, as it was for my son Sean,” Ms Griffin said.
“And it can happen in any family, regardless of how stable, loving and supportive,” she said.
“Suicide prevention, I believe, is going to need to be community led, and by that I mean a huge change in attitude towards our youth and the struggles they face in today’s world.
“We need to stop and listen, encourage better cross-generational communication and empathy, and be better mentors and leaders to our future adults so that they can flourish.”
The mural artists, BOHIE and Kraken Kreative, got the project at Hanging Rock started last week, and will hold youth participation workshops from 3:30pm on Monday and Tuesday (March 25 & 26) for any young people who would like to be a part of it, with the aim to complete the murals before Easter.
The project is supported by the Bega Valley Eurobodalla Suicide Prevention Collaborative.
“Big thanks to everyone who has helped so far, the community is welcome to pop down and watch it all unfold and ask your teens/young adults if they’d like to participate. The artists are happy to chat and have community involvement,” Ms Griffin said.
“Please, if you know anyone prone to making their mark with tags, let them know that it’s a community project with an important message and will be beautiful for all to see. Hopefully once it’s revealed it will be respected.”
If you or someone you know needs support call LifeLine on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 or call the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or the local Headspace on 1800 718 383.
Images: Deanne Griffin
