Bunbury man’s call for change leads to first community led safe space for families affected by suicide

After the loss of his son to suicide in 2017, Dylan Oaky begin looking for a support group online, somewhere to reach out to for help navigating through the grief. From this search was born Shining Hope, Bunbury’s first community led safe space for those affected by suicide or for those suffering and at risk. He described his loss as something he had never experienced before, and initially struggled to find help. “I felt like my heart had been ripped from my body. So the fact that I was still breathing I couldn’t comprehend it really,” he said. “I didn’t want someone who had read a book to tell me I was going to be OK. I wanted evidence and to meet people who had been through it themselves.” After searching for someone to help, Mr Oaky was fortunate enough to meet Jo Robinson — an experienced counsellor and teacher who had experience supporting people who had similar stories. She encouraged him to find others who had lived through the same experience, and the pair initially created an online support group in 2018. It was run by volunteers and peers to stand by those experiencing loss as a result of suicide or mental health issues. They continued reaching out to the community for support and funding and eventually were granted resources to open Shining Hope, a safe space in Bunbury where volunteers could be trained to offer support and counselling. Mr Oaky and Ms Robinson, and their volunteers, are now set up to support and advocate for those bereaved by suicide in a less clinical environment. Ms Robinson said the service was an alliance of peers to offer support and a place to grieve, heal and grow. “We want to be capable of walking beside them and showing them what other options are out there,” she said. “Having a strong committee and good group of volunteers is still a work in progress,” Mr Oaky added. The pair said they were grateful for the resources they have accessed so far with the help of Roses in the Ocean (a national lived experience of suicide organisation). They have also started partnering with government and community bodies to spread the message of hope and life after suicide. Lifeline: 13 11 14