Join the conversation on mental health and suicide this Winter Solstice

WARNING: Readers are advised this article discusses suicide and mental health.

The loss of a loved one to suicide or mental health issues is beyond excruciating and devastating to all involved, but a new event, held for the first time in Canberra, hopes to start a conversation on these issues and reduce the stigma associated with them.

‘Winter Solstice’, which will also be held on the winter solstice, will be hosted in Gungahlin on Thursday (22 June) as a night of communal grieving and healing.

It will feature music and guest speakers, including those with lived experience.

“We’ve got a realm of illnesses, but it seems that mental health is put into a different box, a hush box, and that is what needs to change,” Janine Haskins said.

Janine will be a guest speaker at the event and will speak about the journey of her daughter, Brontë Haskins.

Earlier this year, a coronial inquest found that the much-loved 23-year-old died three days after she attempted suicide outside her ex-partner’s home on 18 February 2020.

Janine said Winter Solstice is a successful annual event in Albury but will now run for the first time in Canberra.

“I think it should occur all over Australia,” she said.

“It really is about raising awareness and opening up the conversation on suicide and really working on destigmatising that word ‘suicide’, which people seem loath to use.

“It’s important to get people to realise it does happen, it doesn’t discriminate, and it’s not a dirty word.”

She also said suicide was not something to be ashamed of.

“We need to discuss it, and we need to get action rather than words,” she said.

Janine said suicide and mental health were issues that affected all cross sections of society.

“When I was in school, the bullying stopped at three o’clock,” she said.

“But now, the bullying can take place 24/7 over social media.”

She said her daughter, Brontë, had suffered from mental health issues from a young age, which she later self-medicated for using illicit substances.

She said her daughter’s life had spiralled out of control due to her self-medicating, the involvement of the criminal justice system and how she was “let down by services”.

She spent 13 days in Canberra’s jail, attempted suicide about a week after she was released and died several days later.

Brontë did donate her organs, with her mother saying there were now people living thanks to her.

Winter Solstice, which is presented by This Is My Brave, is a free event and will start at 6.30 pm at The Abbey, O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls.

Hot coffee and drinks will be available.

The event will be emceed by journalist Alex Sloan, and speakers will include Minister for Mental Health Emma Davidson, Ngunnawal Kamilaroi custodian Richie Allan, psychologist Zebunnissa Khan, lived experience speaker Sally Holliday and Member for Yerrabi Michael Pettersson.

Music will be provided by Ben Drysdale with Niall Howe.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:

Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978.