When Lyndon was only 13, he lost his brother to suicide and his sister was killed in a car accident.
That was hard enough.
But when both of his parents died, Lyndon really had no one to turn to. He had a nervous breakdown and soon found himself in hospital.
It was 2009 when Lyndon stopped drinking and started going to support groups.
It was around this time Lyndon started speaking to Eddie after a referral to UnitingSA’s GP Access program.
“Eddie has been someone I could really talk to. He would check up on me once a week.”
“I lived by myself. He was someone who was consistent and someone, eventually, that I could trust.
“A lot of the time, it was just about having someone to talk too. He became someone I could rely on.”
GP Access Community Support Worker Eddie Elksnitis said GP Access offered Lyndon ongoing social connection – a fundamental human need.
GP Access Community Support Worker Eddie with Lyndon
“Lyndon was never violent against himself, or anyone else,” Eddie said.
“He had a nervous breakdown.
“He needed someone to talk to – someone who wasn’t judgemental or wanting something from him.
“We have developed a relationship over time, with me visiting him once a week, or every couple of weeks. It depends.”
Eddie described Lyndon as a “very independent sort of guy”.
“It was never about bills getting paid or help with budgeting and that type of lifestyle stress, because Lyndon was very capable at that side of his life,” Eddie said.
“He and I can really discuss things and I can just help him get some clarification on the way he is thinking. I can help him sort things through.”
“Having someone I could trust and rely on was so good,” Lyndon said.
“I haven’t really got anyone in my life.”
“I had been in hospital two or three times, sometimes for 21 days. I haven’t been back in a long time.”
“It gives me a bit of my sanity back to have someone that I can trust.”
Need help now?
If you require urgent mental health support, or are experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis, please get in touch with one of these support services.
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.org.au
MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au
ReachOut: ReachOut.com
More resources can be found at the Mental Health Coalition of South Australia website.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency or are in immediate danger, call 000.