About eight years ago, Ms Gilbee’s son Russell took his own life.
Ever since, she has been using her voice to advocate for a world where speaking up is the norm.
“I want, as a mother of a child that died by suicide, I want the word ‘suicide’ to be used in all media — newspapers, TV, radio, social media,” Ms Gilbee said.
“(Media) use all sorts of other words, like ‘took his life’, the latest one is ‘unalive’, or ‘no longer here’, ‘passed away’.
“They should simply say they had died from suicide, and then we know that person was screaming out to let others know they needed help.”
Ms Gilbee said her son attempted suicide three times before his death.
Russell died at just 19.
“He felt like he couldn’t talk to his friends, his mates, even the doctor. They didn’t take him seriously,” Ms Gilbee said.
“I could speak for hours about the stupidity of the situation ... he ultimately took his life because no-one would help.”
After Russell’s death, Ms Gilbee founded the Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Group to start important conversations in the name of prevention and to offer support to those left behind.
The Suicide Awareness Walk, held this Sunday, September 14, is an annual event of remembrance and support.
It also serves as a reminder to those grieving that they are not alone.
Ms Gilbee said using the word suicide and working to rid it of its stigma allowed people to know when to recognise someone’s words were serious.
“We need to recognise that when someone is reaching out for help, and who is suicidal, they actually need the help right now,” she said.
“If everyone else is openly using the word suicide, they can actually go, ‘I’m suicidal’ and be taken seriously. Someone can help them straight away.
“I heard from a nurse the fact that you usually have got minutes to turn that person around. It’s just a moment in time.
“If someone says the word, you will take them more seriously. This word is holding everything back.”
The Goulburn Valley Suicide Awareness Walk will begin with registrations at the Yea Train Station this Sunday at 8.30am, and the walk will commence at 9am.
Everyone is welcome to join.
For more information, visit https://gvsag.org.au/
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