Stuart O’Neill’s first conceived writing a book called ‘Just One Reason’ after his experience with suicide to help other people who may be in the same position and from his desire to save lives.
Based entirely on his lived experience, Stuart wrote ‘Just One Reason’ with several strategies in play for the book to be very user friendly.
The book reveals Stuart’s own strategy for beating his inner demons and offers a powerful and very easy solution to a world problem that is getting worse, not better.
He takes pride in putting others first and bares his soul publicly about his personal battle with suicidal thoughts and depression.
Based on Stuart’s ’lived experience’ with deep depression and multiple suicide plans, he began to realise each time he was almost at the end, that he always found a reason to live.
A pattern continued whereby it became noticeable to him that having ‘Just One Reason’ was enough to get him through his darkest moments.
This pattern seeded the concept of ‘Just One Reason’ as a suicide survival toolkit.
Since being released in August 2020, Just One Reason is now into its fifth reprint and is a go-to resource for thousands of families and is widely used by Clinicians, Schools, Hospitals, Emergency services and Indigenous communities and State Government Health departments.
Stuart regularly gives powerful talks to groups of all sizes and is highly regarded for the immediate impact he has on his audience.
He says suicide and mental health matters such as depression are global problems and says a global problem, requires a global solution.
Stuart said, “Since I have started sharing my book, I have been so encouraged by the immediate impact the book is having and how much the conversations have changed within families already.“
“It seems the book is a fabulous way to have a conversation in a space that has for too long been off limits.“
Local businesswoman Debbie Gordon who owns Frying Fish Café in Rainbow Beach has been touched by suicide and still grieves daily for her son Byron who took his life at thirty.
She is a strong advocate for education on suicide and is a champion for Stuart’s books which she sells through at her local takeaway business.
She said, “When my son died I wanted to do what I could to raise awareness and normalise conversations about suicide.“
“Suicide robs people of their future; suicide robs those left behind of their dreams for their loved one’s future and suicide leaves us forever wondering what more could we have done.“
“So I have the ’Just One Reason’ resources at my shop: a little book with a big purpose.
“My daughter’s life motto is this too shall pass; all will be well.“
Rainbow Beach Blokes are launching their 2023 men’s calendar at the Rainbow Beach Sports Club at 4pm Sunday 20 November.
The calendar was created to support the Janek family who lost son Timothy Janek earlier this year to suicide.
Friends and locals have rallied to support Timmy’s family and open up the conversation on suicide.
The book ’Just One Reason’ is available from Debbie Gordon at Frying Fish Café or justonereason.com.au/about/
