Every 10 minutes, someone in Australia attempts to take his or her own life. According to The Australian Bureau of Statistics, six of them will succeed every single day, making suicide the leading cause of death for people aged 15-45 in the country.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation's heartbreaking new documentary film “Suicide and Me” captures the lives of a suicide hotline volunteer and three young suicide survivors who recount their harrowing battles to live.
The filmmakers show Rebecca Tupper, a volunteer at the 24-hour suicide prevention hotline Lifeline, during one of her two weekly overnight shifts.
Addressing an anonymous caller on the verge of ending his or her own life, Tupper asks in a beautifully soothing voice, “Do you think you can get rid of that rope?” She continues to offer comforting support and when the call ends, she tells the camera, “It is hard not knowing what happened, but at least you know you've done the best you can.”
In a Reddit thread on which users have been praising Tupper for her incredible work, the humble volunteer said that "the 3 people in the film who were brave enough to share such personal stories are the real ones that deserve the praise though."
Take a look at the short clip (above) for a glimpse into Tupper’s world. It may be difficult to watch.
“Suicide and Me” aired Dec. 4 on ABC2 in Australia.
Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.