Concert For Life

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Thu 10 Sep 2015

Inevitably we will all one day face our creator. As a catholic, I have a belief that our souls are borrowed from the great Divine, and our body is a vessel to fulfil the task that we profess to do in our lifetime.

God will one day command a solemn decree that my soul needs to be return and, my flesh to be relinquish back to Mother Earth.

Therefore I accept that someday I am going to die.

Most of us pass away from natural causes but there are a few that for whatever grievous reason decide take their own life and commit suicide.

Suicide is a tragedy that causes unfathomable and unbearable grief to family members, friends and whoever has been left behind.

Suicide doesn't discriminate. It afflicts all ages geographically and sociologically. It doesn't select gender or the educational background someone has. It doesn't have any boundaries.

You can be at the pinnacle of your career, and then without any warning, it all crushes down on you.

In NSW alone, it is estimated that 60,000 up to 90,000 individuals have suicidal thoughts.

During a five year period, from 2009 to 2013, studies reveal, that the average number of individuals committing suicide is approximately more than 2000 per year. 1885 males and, 637 females commit suicide, which alarmingly equates to 6.9 deaths in Australia each day.

The highest rate of suicide amongst the men is from 40 to 45. Females are apparently more likely to deliberately injure themselves than their male counterpart.

According to Reachout.com data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics states that young adults committing suicide is unacceptably high.

In 2013, there were 108 males aged 15-19 years and 148 between 20-24 years. Also in the same year 40 females aged from 15-19 years, and 20 to 24 years died by suicide.

An epidemic, deemed as a primarily public health concern.

The human and economic cost of suicide and suicidal behaviour is high. Drug abuse and alcohol are known to be the contributing factors.

Depression, psychotic illnesses and eating disorders or physical and mental abuse and financial stress are also known to be the possible cause.

We will never know what triggers someone to decide that it's the end of their life, but as a human beings we are brought into this world to feel empathy towards others.

So how can we help those who suffer?

Well, here is our chance.

Coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day, which also falls on the same day as RUOK? Day on the 10th of September is Concert for Life . This event assembles some of the finest classical musicians for a memorable night of glorious music aiming to raise the much-needed funds for suicide prevention.

Gracing the stage are:

Diana Doherty - Soloist. An Australian Oboist who is currently the Principal Oboe with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Roger Benedict - Conductor who is also the Artistic Director of the orchestra's Fellowship program.

Audiences will be enthralled by Prokofiev Classical Symphony, Oboe Concerto - Mozart , Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony and Orchestra for Life (members of the Sydney Symphony and Australian Chamber Orchestra)

Suicide Prevention Australia and Lifeline Australia are the beneficiaries of all the profit generated from this event which will be spent on much needed research and education programs.

Did you know that 23 years ago, in 1992, Concert for Life staged the biggest charity events held in Australia. It was attended by approximately 62,000 people filling the Centennial Park in Sydney. It featured the best musical talents of Australian music industry and was headlined by INXS .

The aim at the time was to raise money for AIDS and Heart Research at St Vincent Hospital in Sydney and it was held in memory of Dr Victor Chang, a leading doctor who was murdered.

At that time, the cost of the ticket price was just $21! The concert grossed an amount of $1,823,110 and after all the expenses were deducted, the charities received a donation of $608 000.

It was dubbed by St. Vincent Hospital "a great success in every respect".

Perhaps we can carry a slight burden and help raise the much-needed funds and attend the forthcoming Concert for Life.

Tickets cost:
Premium $125/115
A reserve $85/75
B reserve $65/55
Student $40

Buy your tickets here or if if you prefer to donate, please click here .

We may not know of anyone that has been affected by suicide. We will never be able to penetrate their world. We don't need to say anything, but a mere gesture such as attending an event like this will show that we are aware of their sufferings.

Perhaps, If we can dissuade one person from doing the unthinkable, there will be a singular word that we need not to ask. "WHY?"

#city
#cbd
#nsw
#fundraisers
#concerts
#classical_music
#september
!date 10/09/2015 -- 10/09/2015
%wnsydney