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Dr Andrew Bryant, a respected Brisbane gastroentologist who’s been practicing medicine for more than 20 years, took his own life in his office last week to the shock of his family, friends and colleagues.
He is survived by his loving wife, Susan, and their four children.
However, in the wake of Dr Bryant’s sudden passing, Mrs Bryant and her family decided to share details of his death publicly to not only help others going through a tumultuous time, but because, as she explains in an email sent to those who loved Dr Bryant that has since gone viral, her family “didn’t want the way he died to be a secret”.
“Some of you may not know yet that Andrew took his own life, in his office, on Thursday morning,” the email began.
“Andrew had never before suffered from depression.”
Dr Bryant with his daughter, Charlotte.
“Just before Easter he became anxious – about his private practice, about being behind in his office administration, about his practice finances, about some of his patients, about his competence.”
“He seemed very dispirited and non-communicative.”
“I did what I could to help where I could, but I was confused…”
“In retrospect, the signs were all there. But I didn’t see it coming.”
“He was a doctor; he was surrounded by health professionals every day; both his parents were psychiatrists, two of his brothers are doctors, his sister is a psychiatric nurse – and none of them saw it coming either.”
“People are saying it was a courageous email but honestly it wasn’t … it all came about because I didn’t want to keep facing questions about how he died from people who didn’t know.”
“I don’t want it to be a secret that Andrew committed suicide. If more people talked about what leads to suicide, if people didn’t talk about as if it was shameful, if people understood how easily and quickly depression can take over, then there might be fewer deaths. His four children and I are not ashamed of how he died.”
Since the email went viral, Mrs Bryant says she has received countless messages from people, thanking her for bravely speaking about her husband’s death so soon after his passing, but believes her words have only just “scratched the surface”…
Since the email went viral, Mrs Bryant she has received countless messages from people, thanking her for bravely speaking about her husband’s death so soon after his passing, but believes her words have only just “scratched the surface”…
“It’s like I’ve scratched the surface … people have contact me and said they were never allowed to talk about a suicide because it’s still such a taboo subject,” she explains.
If you, or someone you know, is feeling down and needs someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 44 and visit their website (www.lifeline.org.au) for support.
If life is in danger, CALL 000 now.
