Roxy’s journey to Staying Deadly

Content note: discusses mental health and self-harm

At nearly 34, Roxy’s life looks very different from what it did a year ago. Back then, her mental health was poor, and she was searching for something that could help her stay strong and deadly.

That turning point came during a visit to Emu Café in Ipswich. A pamphlet for the Staying Deadly mental health support service caught her eye. “I just walked in one day and booked a connection yarn,” Roxy recalls. That simple decision marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Roxy admits her start with Staying Deadly wasn’t easy, but the team never gave up on her. “Honestly, I’m glad I found this Mob because they have literally been a lifesaver,” she says. “The staff make sure your needs are met. At first, the care coordinators weren’t the right fit for me, so I worked with the nurse and the art therapist until someone came along who suited my needs. Even then, the nurse stayed in the background until I felt comfortable.”

That unwavering support became a lifeline. “No matter what you’re going through, they stick by you,” Roxy explains. “When I was in crisis, the nurse never left my side. Even when I said, ‘I’ll be right without a phone call,’ she still contacted me because she knew I wasn’t OK. If she wasn’t in, she made sure someone else from the hub checked in. Name a service that does that – I honestly can’t think of one.”

The impact has been life-changing. Since connecting with the Staying Deadly Hub, Roxy hasn’t needed a hospital admission for over 400 days and has been injury-free for more than six months – a milestone she’s deeply proud of. “Yes, I know I’ve done the work, but these achievements wouldn’t have been possible without the Staying Deadly Mob,” she says.

Her GP agrees, calling it a “massive turnaround.” Roxy plans to keep working with the team as they support her with access to the NDIS and QCSS. For her, Staying Deadly isn’t just a program – it’s a community that helped her rediscover hope and strength. “Honestly, I can’t praise them enough,” Roxy says. And she’s determined to keep moving forward.

Roxy has links to Mob in NSW.

Find out more about Staying Deadly.

 If you need immediate support, you can contact below:

• Mob Link (1800 254 354) – Culturally safe services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in South East Queensland. 
• 13YARN (13 92 76) – Free, confidential crisis support you can yarn with anytime, 24/7, from anywhere in Australia. It’s staffed by Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporters.
• Lifeline (13 11 14) – Crisis support, suicide prevention and emotional support, available 24/7.
• Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) – Free phone and online counselling for anyone with thoughts of suicide or those supporting someone.
• Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) – For children and young people under 25.

Use Triple Zero (000) if you or someone is in immediate danger.