In this special in-person episode recorded in Melbourne’s CBD, Jayne sits down with author Sarah Rosse to discuss her debut memoir, So, Who Are You Anyway?
Sarah shares the raw, keep getting up reality of supporting her son through a mental health crisis and suicide attempt at age 16. This is a conversation about the surreal days that follow a crisis, the family members often forgotten in the chaos, and finding gold in the cracks of our lives.
Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and a suicide attempt. It also includes a brief mention of the loss of a baby. Please take care while listening and skip this one if these topics aren’t right for you today.
This podcast is for entertainment and community purposes only. We are not a medical or therapy podcast – please don’t take anything said here as medical or therapeutic advice.
Correction: During the conversation, Sarah refers to the loss of her baby as happening in 2021. This was a verbal slip – the loss actually occurred in 2012.
In this episode, we cover:
- The Aftermath: The out-of-body feeling of the days following a crisis and the pressure to show life goes on.
- Kintsugi Healing: How the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold became a metaphor for Sarah’s life and her work with Kintsugi Heroes.
- The Forgotten Siblings: Practical ways to support brothers and sisters who are often overlooked during a mental health emergency.
- Writing as Medicine: Using journaling to stop the blur and process grief, shame, and disbelief.
- Living Grief: Understanding the loss of a baby in-utero and how we carry different types of grief.
- Exclusive Scoop: Sarah reveals details about her second book and her 100 Conversations project.
Timestamps
- 00:00 – Intro
- 01:24 – Sarah’s story
- 02:30 – Navigating a child’s mental health crisis as a parent
- 05:26 – Kintsugi and embracing the perfectly imperfect
- 08:54 – Reframing shame and sharing stories
- 10:37 – The forgotten family members in a mental health crisis
- 17:46 – Navigating the mental health system
- 20:00 – The advocacy gap for neurokin
- 22:10 – The impact of neurodiversity in a mental health journey
- 27:31 – The role of schools
- 32:38 – Dismantling traditional thinking
- 36:21 – Grief and its complexities
- 41:43 – Answering the question, So, who are you anyway?
- 42:39 – Advice for parents facing their child’s mental health crisis
- 44:11 – Journalling for neurodivergent brains
- 45:48 – An exclusive scoop just for our besties…
- 47:28 – Getting in touch
If you or someone you know is navigating similar challenges, remember that you are not alone.
If this episode has brought up anything for you, please reach out to any of the resources below.
Emergency & Immediate Crisis Support
- Emergency Services: Call 000 if life or safety is at risk
- SuicideLine Victoria: Call 1300 651 251 (24/7 free professional phone and online counselling for Victorians)
- Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 (24/7 national crisis support and suicide prevention).
- Suicide Call Back Service: Call 1300 659 467 (24/7 free national phone and online counselling)
Specialised Support Lines
- 13 YARN: Call 13 92 76 (24/7 national crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
- Beyond Blue: Call 1300 224 636 (24/7 general mental health and support).
- QLife / Switchboard Victoria: Call 1800 184 527 (Peer support and referral for LGBTIQA+)
- Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 (24/7 support for ages 5 to 25)
Bereavement and Postvention Support
- Support After Suicide: Visit Support After Suicide or call 1800 943 415 for grief support and specialised resources
- StandBy Support After Suicide: Visit StandBy Support After Suicide for local community postvention assistance
Kintsugi Heroes: https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/
Sarah’s Website: https://www.intentionalwritingforwellness.com/
Sarah’s Insta: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_rosse_author/
Sarah’s Book: https://books.google.com.au/books/about/So_Who_Are_You_Anyway.html?id=4iAN0gEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
Get in touch: fthemfish@gmail.com or find us on socials.
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