Suicide is a social issue, not a medical one, says the co-founder of a group promoting suicide prevention.
Maria Bradshaw, of Auckland, co-founder of Community Action on Suicide Prevention Education and Research (Casper) will be in Central Otago for the next week, speaking at a series of meetings organised to gauge support for setting up a branch of the organisation in the district.
The initiative was launched by Julie Duffy and funeral director Janice Millis, both of Alexandra, earlier this month. Mrs Duffy said her only son Craig had taken his own life last December, the day after his 21st birthday.
The women said there was a great need for a community-based suicide prevention initiative in Central Otago and their plans were supported by police and Central Otago Mental Health.
Ms Bradshaw said her only child Toran took his own life in 2008, aged 17. She started Casper in 2010 and set up groups, around the country when asked to help.
''We think it can make a real difference and it shows communities how to reclaim responsibility for suicide prevention by giving them the knowledge and tools to make a difference; it also helps families bereaved by suicide.''
Ms Bradshaw said it was important to create an environment where people still felt a sense of belonging and support regardless of what was going on in their lives.
In the past three years, Casper had placed a strong focus on youth and Maori suicides and the latest suicide statistics showed a ''heartening'' decline in the number of people featuring from those groups.
''It's hard to measure the results of our programmes, because how do you know how many people have thought twice about taking their own life, but I get invited to 18th birthdays, to graduations and weddings of people whose parents say wouldn't have been around if it wasn't for Casper,'' Ms Bradshaw said.
The organisation provided youth suicide prevention education in schools and community education workshops.
The workshops presented statistical and research data on suicide in New Zealand, evidence and examples of effective suicide prevention initiatives and tools to help families and communities identify suicide risk and develop protective environments. Casper tailored its programmes to fit what was needed in the district.
Talk therapy, getting people to volunteer in groups, getting them involved in arts and cultural activities or sports could all be means of intervention. Being open about suicide was important, she said.
''It's ridiculous that people can't be open about it. I believe talking openly is really important in addressing this issue.''
Suicide prevention and intervention community evenings (all start 7pm): Cromwell, Golden Gate conference room, tomorrow; Alexandra, The Cellar Door, Monday; Ranfurly, Ranfurly Bowling Club, Tuesday; Wanaka, Armstrong Room, Lake Wanaka Centre, Wednesday; Queenstown, Queenstown Events Centre, Thursday.
To get help
If you need help, contact:
- Lifeline NZ: 0800543-354
- Youthline: 0800376-633
- Citizens Advice Bureau: 0800367-222
