Latest news with #BeyondBlue
West Australian
3 days ago
- West Australian
Fundraiser launched for Sophia Rose's family after 3yo allegedly killed by mum
A fundraiser has been launched for the devastated family of Sophia Rose, with the little girl remembered for her 'big eyes' and 'infectious laugh' in the aftermath of Monday's nightmare. The GoFundMe , launched by family friend Connor Thompson, has raised nearly $10,000 from a $15,000 target, with a yellow rose posted to the appeal as a tribute to the toddler's life. 'Sophia Rose was a sweet little girl with big eyes and an infectious laugh that could light up the room,' the appeal reads. 'Her smile was like a ray of sunshine and her heart was as pure of gold. Sophia always wanted to help and was the best big sister to her baby brother and sister. 'Though her time here was short, the love she gave and the joy she shared will stay with us forever.' The appeal comes just days after Sophia Rose was allegedly murdered by her mother Lauren Ingrid Flanigan, 32. Police have charged Ms Flanigan with murder, alleging she stabbed Sophia Rose multiple times at their Moore Park Beach home north of Bundaberg, about 365km north of Brisbane, on Monday afternoon. Ms Flanigan, a member of the Alive Church in Bundaberg, remains in custody. 'In the wake of an unimaginable tragedy, a grieving father and little boy and girl is left to cope with the devastating loss of their beloved daughter and sister,' the appeal reads. 'Her life was taken far too soon, leaving behind a family and community shattered by sorrow. In this incredibly difficult time, we are reaching out to ask for your support. 'Your donations will help this father navigate the overwhelming financial burden of funeral expenses, legal fees, a place to call home and the emotional toll of this tragedy. 'No amount is too small – every contribution provides a small light during this dark time, allowing him to focus on healing and honouring the memory of his precious daughter.' Burnett MP Stephen Bennett, in a post to social media on Thursday, said the event had rocked the small Bundaberg community. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families involved in the several tragic incidents across the region over the last days and weeks,' he said. 'These shocking events rock our small communities, but your support for each other is what will get us through and eventually help us heal. 'If you or anyone you know needs help, please reach out to Lifeline, Kids Helpline Official, 13 Yarn, Beyond Blue.'
Courier-Mail
3 days ago
- Courier-Mail
Police investigating sudden deaths of Cairns couple Jamie and Krystel Paul
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News. A 10-year-old girl was told to run to a neighbour's house for help moments before her father shot her mother in a suspected murder-suicide in Cairns. Police and emergency services were called to a Mount Sheridan home at about 7.15pm on Tuesday to conduct a welfare check. Upon arrival at the Verbena Drive address, officers found the bodies of Krystel and James Paul, both 41, in the bathroom and main room of the house respectively. Both had sustained gunshot wounds. Detectives are now investigating the circumstances relating to the couples's sudden deaths. X Cairns' Police Detective Acting Inspector Alina Bell revealed on Wednesday afternoon that the couple's daughter was 'alerted to the incident occurring' and left the house moments before the incident. The 10-year-old went to neighbour Danna Lancini's house, where a call was made to police. 'We provided an immediate response due to the concerns of the welfare of the occupants of that house, and unfortunately upon arrival, both male and female were located deceased,' Detective Acting Inspector Bell said. Cairns couple Krystel and James Paul. Picture: Instagram The couple with their daughter, now aged 10. Picture: Instagram Speaking to The Cairns Post, Ms Lancini said the girl told her that her 'dad sent me here because (my mum is) dead'. '(Her dad) told her to run to (my) house and then ring her grandma and tell her that the mum's dead,' Ms Lancini said. 'I didn't believe it …(but) he must've rung the ambulance because when I looked out, the police was there. 'It happened all at one … the daughter was in shock, and the police didn't really say anything.' Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help. Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or Headspace: 1800 650 890 or 13YARN: Speak to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis supporter on 13 92 76 or visit Are you anxious? Take the Beyond Blue quiz to see how you're tracking and whether you could benefit from support Ms Lancini said her husband 'heard the two, 'bang, bang'' but had assumed the gunshots were the sound of neighbours doing home renovations. 'Then the daughter was on our front door,' she said. 'The two shots must have been when she was running.' A Queensland Police mobile police facility van and trailer is set up at Verbena Street, Mt Sheridan, after the sudden death of a man and a woman on Tuesday night. Picture: Brendan Radke The couple was not known to police, and there were no police records of domestic violence or mental health issues in the household. Mr Paul was, however, reportedly a registered gun owner, with multiple firearms kept at the home. It's not known which weapon was used in his or his wife's death. 'It's always possible that things go on behind closed doors that family, friends and police are not aware of, but our investigations have indicated to date that there is no indication that there was any domestic violence in that relationship. 'Ongoing investigations are trying to establish why this tragedy has occurred and we will do all we can to get some answers for those family members. 'We'll conduct a full investigation – speaking to friends, family, associates, work colleagues … we'll also look into bank records just to try and establish how this tragic incident has come about. 'This investigation isn't being treated as suspicious, however we always remain open-minded and conduct a comprehensive investigation.' The couple pictured in 2017. Ms Lancini said the neighbourhood had been rocked by the tragic incident. 'They've been here (in Cairns) a while I think, they were childhood sweethearts,' she said. 'I never would've expected this to happen to them, there were no signs, nothing – they were just so good. Like, the family's really good.' Cooper Smith, who lives on the other side of the Paul's home, had been looking after the couple's dog at the time. 'To go through all that effort, you know, build a house up there, and get a lovely little puppy, and then just throw it all away,' Mr Smith said. 'To leave your daughter … it's horrible, I just don't have words for it, honestly.' The couple's daughter was now in the care of family, Detective Acting Inspector Bell said. 'This is not only a tragic occurrence for friends and family, it also significantly impacts on the whole of the community,' she said. Originally published as Police investigating sudden deaths of Cairns couple Jamie and Krystel Paul
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
AFL urged to go beyond mental health round with player voices to tackle stigma
From sharing more first-person stories to using destigmatising language in community football, the AFL can do more to improve mental health outcomes according to experts, whether or not the league pursues a themed round explicitly dedicated to the cause. The footy community has been beset by grief this week following the death of West Coast premiership player Adam Selwood at age 41, three months after his twin brother Troy – a former Brisbane player – died by suicide. Former Kangaroos and Swans player Wayne Schwass, Cats great Jimmy Bartel and Swans' premiership-winning coach Paul Roos have been leading voices in the call for the establishment of a mental health round, but others including former Hawthorn president and Beyond Blue founder Jeff Kennett are opposed to the idea. Related: A week of grief is a reminder to reflect on the magnificent triviality of sport | Jonathan Horn As many as 43% of people aged 16–85 experience a mental disorder at some time in their life according to the ABS, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-44. The AFL developed its first mental health strategy in 2020 and updated it last year, outlining a vision that employees of the AFL and its clubs are 'supported to thrive in football, work and life'. The league partners with six mental health organisations including the Black Dog Institute, which worked with St Kilda on 'Spud's Game'. That initiative raises money for mental health programs and builds a legacy from the life of former Saints captain and Tigers coach Danny Frawley, who died in 2019 after ongoing mental health challenges. Black Dog Institute chief scientist and executive director, Sam Harvey said the time for awareness 'has passed, what we need now is coordinated, sustained action'. 'There is more to do, particularly in supporting the broader community, including ex-players, and to promote crucial mental health research so that we can better understand why mental ill health continues to rise in Australia,' Harvey said. The AFL Players Association (AFLPA) offers counselling to current and former players and their partners and wrote to members this week to reiterate the wellbeing services available. In 2024, 429 former players or their partners took up the offer, a 24% rise on the previous year. There are also dedicated programs and entities operating within the broader AFL sector. Tackle Your Feelings was formed by the AFL Coaches Association and the AFLPA in 2018, and provides a free mental health training program for players, community AFL coaches, and club support staff. Fifth Quarter is an independent not-for-profit supporting AFL and AFLW past players, their families and the community to achieve positive mental health and wellbeing. The AFL reported a record 528,000 registered Australian football participants in 2024. Dr Judith Griffiths, director of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi), said there were opportunities for the AFL to effect wider change by using its influence in community footy. 'This could include embedding programs, training, and language that destigmatised mental health, partnering with community groups to create culturally safe content, using storytelling, visible champions, and inclusive messaging to shift community norms, using peer champions from underrepresented groups to train as mental health ambassadors and avoiding assumptions about gender and sexuality,' Griffiths said. Examples of destigmatising language provided by AAPi include mental health is 'something we all need to think about', that it 'exists on a spectrum', 'it's ok if you're feeling anxious today' and 'sometimes we might be thriving, sometimes we might be feeling challenged'. Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harman said both the AFL playing group and broader Australian community face similar challenges and would benefit from similar approaches. 'That is, initiatives that are designed and set out to reach people early, before they reach crisis point,' Harman said. 'Our analysis shows that, like the broader mental health system, the football world offers a wide range of programs of services, but it can be confusing to know which one to access and when, what programs work best, and how all they all fit together.' Related: Former West Coast player Adam Selwood dies months after twin brother's death SANE chief executive Rachael Green said research was 'very clear' that one of the best ways to address stigma is through relatable, first-person stories. 'Having high-profile sports people talk about their mental health challenges can not only help people experiencing mental ill health see they are not alone, it can also reverse harmful misconceptions about mental illness amongst the general public,' she said. Green called on the the AFL to consult widely before embarking on any activity 'to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks'. 'We also encourage [the] AFL to look beyond just a few elite level games,' Green said. 'Any meaningful campaign needs to be distilled down to community level to have the impact it needs to have.' • In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. Support for people who are grieving is available from Griefline on 1300 845 745. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat Other international helplines can be found at
The Guardian
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
AFL urged to go beyond mental health round with player voices to tackle stigma
From sharing more first-person stories to using destigmatising language in community football, the AFL can do more to improve mental health outcomes according to experts, whether or not the league pursues a themed round explicitly dedicated to the cause. The footy community has been beset by grief this week following the death of West Coast premiership player Adam Selwood at age 41, three months after his twin brother Troy – a former Brisbane player – died by suicide. Former Kangaroos and Swans player Wayne Schwass, Cats great Jimmy Bartel and Swans' premiership-winning coach Paul Roos have been leading voices in the call for the establishment of a mental health round, but others including former Hawthorn president and Beyond Blue founder Jeff Kennett are opposed to the idea. As many as 43% of people aged 16–85 experience a mental disorder at some time in their life according to the ABS, and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-44. The AFL developed its first mental health strategy in 2020 and updated it last year, outlining a vision that employees of the AFL and its clubs are 'supported to thrive in football, work and life'. The league partners with six mental health organisations including the Black Dog Institute, which worked with St Kilda on 'Spud's Game'. That initiative raises money for mental health programs and builds a legacy from the life of former Saints captain and Tigers coach Danny Frawley, who died in 2019 after ongoing mental health challenges. Black Dog Institute chief scientist and executive director, Sam Harvey said the time for awareness 'has passed, what we need now is coordinated, sustained action'. 'There is more to do, particularly in supporting the broader community, including ex-players, and to promote crucial mental health research so that we can better understand why mental ill health continues to rise in Australia,' Harvey said. The AFL Players Association (AFLPA) offers counselling to current and former players and their partners and wrote to members this week to reiterate the wellbeing services available. In 2024, 429 former players or their partners took up the offer, a 24% rise on the previous year. There are also dedicated programs and entities operating within the broader AFL sector. Tackle Your Feelings was formed by the AFL Coaches Association and the AFLPA in 2018, and provides a free mental health training program for players, community AFL coaches, and club support staff. Fifth Quarter is an independent not-for-profit supporting AFL and AFLW past players, their families and the community to achieve positive mental health and wellbeing. The AFL reported a record 528,000 registered Australian football participants in 2024. Dr Judith Griffiths, director of the Australian Association of Psychologists (AAPi), said there were opportunities for the AFL to effect wider change by using its influence in community footy. 'This could include embedding programs, training, and language that destigmatised mental health, partnering with community groups to create culturally safe content, using storytelling, visible champions, and inclusive messaging to shift community norms, using peer champions from underrepresented groups to train as mental health ambassadors and avoiding assumptions about gender and sexuality,' Griffiths said. Examples of destigmatising language provided by AAPi include mental health is 'something we all need to think about', that it 'exists on a spectrum', 'it's ok if you're feeling anxious today' and 'sometimes we might be thriving, sometimes we might be feeling challenged'. Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harman said both the AFL playing group and broader Australian community face similar challenges and would benefit from similar approaches. Sign up to From the Pocket: AFL Weekly Jonathan Horn brings expert analysis on the week's biggest AFL stories after newsletter promotion 'That is, initiatives that are designed and set out to reach people early, before they reach crisis point,' Harman said. 'Our analysis shows that, like the broader mental health system, the football world offers a wide range of programs of services, but it can be confusing to know which one to access and when, what programs work best, and how all they all fit together.' SANE chief executive Rachael Green said research was 'very clear' that one of the best ways to address stigma is through relatable, first-person stories. 'Having high-profile sports people talk about their mental health challenges can not only help people experiencing mental ill health see they are not alone, it can also reverse harmful misconceptions about mental illness amongst the general public,' she said. Green called on the the AFL to consult widely before embarking on any activity 'to ensure the benefits outweigh the risks'. 'We also encourage [the] AFL to look beyond just a few elite level games,' Green said. 'Any meaningful campaign needs to be distilled down to community level to have the impact it needs to have.' In Australia, support is available at Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, and at MensLine on 1300 789 978. Support for people who are grieving is available from Griefline on 1300 845 745. In the UK, the charity Mind is available on 0300 123 3393 and Childline on 0800 1111. In the US, call or text Mental Health America at 988 or chat Other international helplines can be found at
Sky News AU
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Royal family member Lady Gabriella Windsor opens up after husband Thomas Kingston's shock death
Lady Gabriella Windsor has praised the Princess of Wales in a rare interview following the shock death of her husband Thomas Kingston in 2024. The British royal, 44, is the daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and married Mr Kingston in a major royal wedding in 2019. The entire royal family attended the wedding at St George's Chapel, which was one of the last major public occasions jointly attended by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Tragically, Kingston died by suicide in February 2024 at age 45. Following the tragedy, the Princess of Wales privately contacted Gabriella to invite her to help plan Kate's carol concert, Together at Christmas. "It was such an honour to be involved, and very thoughtful and kind-hearted of the Princess to include me. I was very touched," Lady Gabriella told Hello! magazine last week. "She was so lovely to work with, always gracious, very creative and with so much vision and passion for the many charities and causes she supports." Mr Kingston's sudden death came just three months before what would have been the couple's fifth wedding anniversary. It was revealed that Mr Kingston had died from a "traumatic head wound" and a gun had been found near his body. The shocking death was later the subject of a coronial inquest to examine whether Mr Kingston's state of mind had been 'affected by medication'. That inquest, which finished in January, concluded that Mr Kingston was also suffering "adverse effects of medication he had recently been prescribed." Lady Gabriella made a statement during the inquest to warn people about medication and the circumstances surrounding her husband's death. "The fact that he took his life at the home of his beloved parents suggests the decision was the result of a sudden impulse," she said. "It appears to me Tom's impulsive action was likely provoked by an adverse reaction to the medication he had been taking in the last two weeks of his life. The widow said her husband's working life "was certainly a challenge for him over the years, but I highly doubt it would have led him to take his own life, and it seemed much improved". If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline: 13 11 14 Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
