R U OK? Day prompts personal story for Townsville Hospital nurse

Enrolled nurse Samantha Wright is sharing the importance of asking R U OK? this R U OK? Day after losing her son to suicide.

Samantha said the loss of her son in 2017 had changed the way she interacted with people in her daily life.

“I had done 33 years of caring for people as a nurse and my son was the one person I couldn’t help,” she said.

“That made me re-evaluate my outlook on life and how I looked at people; I try to listen to more and take more time with my loved ones now.

“Mostly I am just trying to make some sense of a life without my son.”

Samantha said Jeremy was only 27-years-old when he ended his life.

“He was a big, gentle giant who would help you with anything,” she said.

“He never stopped, was always working and would dig you six one-metre deep holes if you asked.

“When I lost Jeremy, I realised that there were things going on in his mind that I didn’t know were impacting him which is why R U OK? is important to me.

“Just because he was going to work and going about life being his usual outspoken and loud-self did not mean he was OK."

Samantha said she urged people to look beyond the surface with their loved ones on R U OK? Day and every day.

“Nobody in our family suspected that we would lose our son, brother, husband or father this way,” she said.

“That is why I am so passionate about the message of R U OK? Day and spreading the word that people can answer the question honestly without fear of judgement.

“I know it can be daunting to ask R U OK? and knowing what to say if the answer is ‘no’ but the R U OK? website has great information and resources to help guide conversations.

“Don’t give up on asking the question – it can change a life.”
Samantha said that sharing the importance of asking R U OK? was helping to keep her memory of her son alive.

“I’ve been doing bootcamps and walks for suicide awareness,” she said.

“I’ve been doing dragon boating which has helped with handling everything and the friends I’ve made there have been incredibly supportive of my mission to spread the word.

“It is hard to find sense in something so tragic, but I hope by sharing my story I can help someone else.

“Whether they are feeling alone or have lost a loved one too, if they seek help or just feel better knowing that I’ve felt the same pain then it reassures me that I should keep talking about my son and suicide awareness.”

R U OK? is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring people to really talk and help build more connected communities to prevent suicide.

For more information visit https://www.ruok.org.au/