It will shine a light on a painful issue which has impacted several Waitaki families in the past few months: youth suicide.
Tribal Nations ambassador Garry McLennan said their November 2 rally from Dunedin would include a community event in the Oamaru Harbour precinct with Stronger Waitaki for youth mental health and suicide awareness.
It follows the Arrow Koehler Legacy Ride to Oamaru on August 24.
That event was backed by Tribal Nations and paid tribute to a local young woman who died a few weeks before.
The Arrow Koehler rally highlighted the fact there had been six suspected suicides within a short period during July and August in Waitaki.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher, who will speak at the November 2 event, said he was very supportive of any focus to bolster youth mental health in Waitaki.
"It’s certainly been highlighted in recent months with the number of suspected suicides overall. And certainly now, with our younger people, we really hope that they have got everything in front of them, and every reason to make the most of their lives."
Youthline was very important in what it did but was "one part of the solution", Mr Kircher said.
Concern about suicide had already resulted in at least one special event being hosted at Oamaru’s Harbour Collective recently, where a local counsellor offered their insight into the issue. Mr Kircher said grassroots initiatives such as that still needed the backing of publicly funded services.
And more was needed, particularly around youth resilience and tools to deal with the impacts on self image from social media.
"We know [support services] are generally doing what they can do, but it’s like a lot thing in health — it’s never quite enough.
"We know that things have to be really drastic for people to get help," Mr Kircher said.
Mr McLennan said they expected between 80 and 140 riders at the Oamaru rally.
"All money raised is for Youthline Otago."
Youthline now had a counsellor for Oamaru based at Waitaki Girls’ High School two days a week.
Mr McLennan said that in itself was not "a perfect solution," given the complexity of the issue, but it was a tool there for those who needed to make the call and to know that "people will listen".
Where to get help:
- Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
- Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
- What's Up: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.
- Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
- Healthline: 0800 611 116
- Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
- OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm)
- Sexual Violence
- NZ Police
- Victim Support 0800 842 846
- Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00
- Rape Prevention Education
- Empowerment Trust
- HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655 - push 0 at the menu
- Safe to talk: a 24/7 confidential helpline for survivors, support people and those with harmful sexual behaviour: 0800044334
- Male Survivors Aotearoa
- Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 022 344 0496
- Drug Help website
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
