Suicide Hope Beyond the ­Darkness

Debbie is a suicidologist, counselor, therapist, criminologist, and educa­tor who hopes to break down the stigma and deepen the understanding surrounding suicide and mental health. With tertiary qualifications in criminology and criminal justice, suicide prevention and a master’s in mental health and counseling, Debbie brings an impressive blend of academic insight, clinical skill, and compassion to her work.

Her experience spans the broad spectrum of suicide related care, from research and education to frontline crisis work, from counseling those experiencing suicidal thoughts or who have attempted suicide to walking alongside those bereaved by suicide.

As an educator, her work has taken her across Australia, where she has educated, advocated, and raised awareness about suicide and mental health, always aiming to break down stigma and create change. She has worked internationally in the United States and Malaysia, conducting classes in mental health and suicide prevention. For over a decade, Debbie served as a lead trainer with Lifeline, where she educated future crisis supporters on how to connect and communicate effectively with individuals who call in need of support. She also volunteered to answer the Lifeline phones.

With years of counseling experience specializing in suicide prevention and crisis support, Debbie’s approach combines professional insight with a deeply personal and human touch.

In Suicide: Hope Beyond the Darkness, Debbie draws on her knowledge and experience to shine a light on the subject of suicide and to help people find hope when they feel most alone in the dark.

Debbie lives with her husband, Michael, in Sydney, Australia, and also spends a large part of her year traveling either to the US to be with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, or to watch her son play football.