Lana Simpson has made an emotional appeal to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the suicide deaths of her son and, a year later, her 12-year-old granddaughter, Alisha Rush. Ms. Simpson's granddaughter died on July 21, just four days before a scheduled mental health appointment, despite her school recognizing an urgent need for help.
Alisha had been struggling with the loss of her father, Kurt, who died by suicide approximately a year prior. "The mental health system is a massive failure, whether it be for children or adults," Ms. Simpson stated, highlighting the long waiting lists, unaffordable care, and shortages of mental health professionals that families often encounter.
"No parent should have to bury their child. No grandmother should have to bury her granddaughter. No family should have to endure this level of grief," Ms. Simpson wrote in a letter to the Prime Minister. She questioned the allocation of significant funds to overseas development, particularly the $5.209 billion allocated in the recent Federal Budget for development spending in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, while domestic mental health services remain underfunded. In contrast, the government announced $283.2 million over four years for mental health and suicide prevention, and an additional $3.1 million for child and youth mental health support in secondary schools.
Research indicates that children who have lost a parent to suicide are three times more likely to die by suicide themselves. Ms. Simpson plans to participate in Lifeline's 'Out of the Shadows Walk' on September 10 to help break this cycle.
Alisha was remembered as a bright, kind, and intelligent young girl who loved sports and the beach. She played for the Southlakes Roosters' Under-12 girls rugby league team. Her club and other junior rugby league clubs in the Hunter region have planned tributes to honor her memory, including wearing pink ribbons, braiding hair to represent her jersey number, and holding a minute's silence. Alisha's mother, Leanne, described her daughter as a talented athlete who, despite facing mental health challenges, often tried to maintain a brave exterior.
Ms. Simpson hopes that sharing her family's tragedy will prompt action to prevent other families from experiencing similar profound loss and improve the mental health care system for vulnerable Australians. She emphasized that while compassion for other nations is important, Australia must first ensure its own citizens receive the mental health care they desperately need.