Feelings of depression and suicide affect millions of Australians every day and when Sandra Moran’s 22-year-old son Jai tragically took his own life, she knew she had to share the burden of her loss.
To honour Jai’s memory, Sandra is helping others overcome depression and suicidal tendencies by talking about the risks of emotional and mental health issues that are often stigmatised or swept under the rug in smaller communities. Travelling with her is Jerry Farsoun, an individual who has struggled with feelings of suicide
and depression himself and who strives to prove that there is a higher value to each and every person, showing people what they can achieve through determination.
The team travel together with Sandra on a motorbike and Jerry riding with his family in a fully equipped, state-of-the-art bus, visiting remote and rural communities to reach out to individuals who might need them. “Basically the main people that can help suicide survivors are other suicide survivors,” Sandra said when the bus/motorbike convoy rolled into Forbes on Monday. “There’s always someone to reach out to.” “I am enjoying it,” Jerry said about the tour, “and it’s great when people come out but many people are reluctant to talk when they are a part of a tight-knit community.”
“We are really putting ourselves out there. What we are doing is revolutionary; we’re beating a different drum.”
Jerry is also pioneering an incredible new mobile application which gives people the option to set up a “guardian” network. If the person fears for their personal safety, they can hit the “panic” button, which notifies the nominated network of people that the person is in trouble, what their location is and how much battery life they have left.
“It’s a phenomenal concept and it will revolutionise personal safety,” said Jerry. “It’s amazing in the sense that it could save lives.” Check OverDownUnder out on Facebook to find out how to donate to a cause in need!