Hello there!
In 1995, Alisha Tarrant lost her brother to suicide. Of course it was a profoundly devastating moment in her life, but it also lead her to her life’s purpose – which is to support others experiencing crisis. Alisha now leads Lifeline Narrm’s crisis support training, and Lifeline is a suicide prevention and support service that is at the frontline of the mental health challenges within our community. In this beautifully honest conversation, Alisha helps us understand how to sit in the mud with a person’s pain, and how best to help one another in the dark times. While we believe this conversation is critical in the steps towards destigmatising suicide, we also issue a trigger warning.
Resources:
- The story of the first payphone.
- As I lay me down, by Sophie B Hawkins
- No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering, by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 or https://www.lifeline.org.au/
About Alisha Tarrant
Alisha Tarrant went from being a Lifeline volunteer for 12 years to leading Lifeline Narrm’s crisis support training, which is the first crisis support centre in Victoria launched in 50 years.
Alisha’s personal connection to Lifeline, inspired by her late brother’s suicide, has been a driving force in her dedication to supporting the community with mental health.
Find the moment you're seeking
01:56 Alisha tells us about the incredible life-saving service Lifeline Naarm offers to people experiencing crisis.
04:56 In 1995, Alisha’s brother, Dean, died by suicide. Alisha tells us about that morning, and why it lead her to work in suicide prevention.
07:50 Alisha explains the very unhelpful and hurtful ways people reacted when Dean died, and what are the best ways to help when someone has lost a loved one to suicide.
14:45 Alisha tells us about her brother, Dean – the person he was and the relationship they had.
17:39 Mimi explains that she also has lost loved ones to suicide, and acknowledges not everyone who has that experience goes into suicide prevention and support. Alisha explains the journey from her losing Dean to working at Lifeline now.
22:15 Alisha’s biggest a-ha moment: ‘I’m not responsible for any other human being. I don’t get to make a choice, any level of choice, for any other human being. I can be there to care, love, support, listen, accept, believe. But just like I’m my own person who gets to make my own decisions, so does everybody else.’
23:56 Alisha tells us about the people who supported her throughout her own crisis and grief.
26:15 The Sophie B Hawkins song that kept Alisha going in the hardest times, As I Lay Me Down.
27:15 Alisha tells us about ‘sitting in the mud’ – the sitting and listening to someone, to their adversities and challenges, with openness.
29:58 The Top 5 Reasons people call Lifeline: Number 1 is relationship breakdown. We discuss how best to support someone through that pain.
33:28 Number 2 reason people call Lifeline: Financial distress
36:45 Alisha tells us the way we can be present with someone who is sharing how they’re feeling.
39:56 Origin Story of a Well-known Thing – the pay phone.
43:23 The importance of anonymity when someone calls Lifeline.
45:55 What does Lifeline need?
Meet Jo
Jo Stanley is Founder and CEO at Broad Radio – radio for women, by women. Comedian, author, MC, speaker. Co-host of The House of Wellness TV and Radio. Hope messenger. Equality warrior. Mother, wife, awesome friend.
Broad Radio Insta • Broad Generation Insta • Broad Radio Web
Say hi to Mimi
Mimi is the Author of House of Kwa, Journalist, MC, Facilitator, Keynote, Mum of four, studying to become a mindfulness mediation teacher, also did architecture at university and didn’t become an architect. Quite a good friend.
BUY House of Kwa • Mimi Kwa Web