Light Up the Darkness

Trigger warning: This article discusses suicide and the loss of loved ones.

In a show of solidarity, staff from Hedland Health Campus joined together with close to 300 Pilbara community members to participate in this year’s Rowan’s Walk.

Rowan’s Walk is a yearly event that encourages community members to walk in honour of loved ones, while raising awareness about suicide prevention.

Now in its ninth year, Rowan’s Walk was established by Hedland local, Rowan Dann – a respected and Aboriginal leader – after he lost his aunt to suicide.

What began as Rowan finding solace by walking from Port Hedland to South Hedland has grown into an important community gathering that brings together families, communities, leaders and organisations to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide, support those who are grieving, reduce stigma around mental health and encourage open and honest conversations.

This year's theme, ‘Light Up the Darkness’, is a powerful reminder that even during life's most difficult moments, hope, connection and support can help guide the way forward. It reflects the importance of standing beside one another, reaching out, and ensuring that nobody feels alone in their struggles.

Acting Executive Director Pilbara Jodie Omodei addressed attendees, starting by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Kariyarra people and paid her respects to Elders past and present.

She also acknowledged the strength, resilience and enduring connection that Aboriginal people have to Country, culture and community and thanked Rowan for his courage, commitment and generosity that continues to inspire those around him.

Importantly, Jodie discussed the significant role WA Country Health Service must play in supporting country community members and ensuring equitable access to mental health services close to home, loved ones, communities and on Country, and noted the activities, strategies and programs in place to achieve this.

“One important step forward is the new 10-bed Step-Up Step-Down facility being established in South Hedland,” Jodie said.

“As we move towards implementation, we will be continuing with stakeholder and community engagement to ensure the service reflects local needs, priorities and expectations.

“We know that meaningful engagement is critical to delivering a service that is culturally safe, welcoming and responsive to the communities it serves.

“We have also increased the number of Psychiatric Liaison Nurses in our Emergency Departments and have dedicated Community Mental Health teams who continue to work alongside local organisations and service providers to better support individuals and families.

“These clinicians play an important role in providing timely assessment, support and guidance for people experiencing mental health challenges.”

Suicide Prevention Coordinator Pilbara Mental Health Savannah Corbett gave a heartfelt, poignant and deeply moving speech, sharing her own story and gave a profound reminder that suicide isn’t about numbers or statistics.

“Standing here as the Pilbara Suicide Prevention Coordinator, I recognise that I represent WA Country Health Service – but I also stand here simply as a member of this community,” Savannah said.

“Like many people across our region, my connection to suicide prevention is deeply personal.

“I have lost family members, friends and colleagues to suicide, and those losses have shaped me – not only in my work, but in how I see people, relationships and community.

“They remind me that behind every statistic is a person who mattered, a family whose life changed forever, and a community carrying grief that often goes unseen.”

Rowan and his family presented WA Country Health Service and Hedland Health Campus with a certificate of appreciation.

The family also gave a personal thanks to Executive Director Lisa Barnes and District Director East Pilbara Tammie Joseph for their commitment to strengthening relationships with Aboriginal people and their communities across the Pilbara.

Thank you to our teams who stood up and showed their support for this year’s Rowan’s Walk.

Your presence reflects a shared commitment to strengthening suicide prevention and mental health awareness, community wellbeing and supporting those and their families and friends when they need it most.