Start a conversation and check in this Suicide Prevention Day

Suicide is a serious concern for New Zealand communities. Around 500 New Zealanders die each year by suicide, with many more attempting suicide. Unfortunately suicide rates for Māori and young people aged 20 to 24 tend to be higher than those for the rest of the population.

This has a tragic impact on the lives of many others such as families, whānau, friends and workmates, communities and society as a whole.

We can reduce instances of suicide by raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging well-informed action.

Most people who attempt suicide don’t want to die. They just want their pain to end or can’t see another way out of their situation.

Support from people who care about them, and connection with their own sense of culture, identity and purpose, can help them to find a way through.

World Suicide Prevention Day happens on 10th September every year, and is the ideal opportunity to check in on the mental wellbeing of your whānau and friends.

The theme for 2024 is “Changing the narrative on suicide”. This theme aims to raise awareness about the importance of reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations to prevent suicides.

The call to action encourages everyone to start the conversation on suicide and suicide prevention. Every conversation – no matter how small – contributes to a supportive and understanding society. By initiating these vital conversations, we can break down barriers, raise awareness, and create better cultures of support.

The theme also emphasises the need to prioritise suicide prevention and mental health in policy making, and calls for government action. Changing the narrative requires advocating for policies that prioritize mental health, increase access to care, and provide support for those in need.

Take time to reach out and connect

Taking time to reach out to someone in your community that you care could change the course of another’s life – whether it’s a family member, friend, colleague or even a stranger!

Showing that you care can help give someone hope. All of us can play a role – no matter how small. We may never know what we do that makes a difference. We all can reach in and
ask somebody.

You do not have to have all the answers. You don’t need to tell them what to do or have solutions. Simply making the time and space to listen to someone about their experiences of distress or suicidal thoughts can help. Small talk can save lives and create a sense of connection and hope in somebody who may be struggling.

Empathy, compassion, genuine concern, knowledge of resources and a desire to help are key to preventing a tragedy.

Take time to:

• Notice what is going on with you, your family, friends and your colleagues. By stepping closer and reaching in we can be aware of those around us who need help.
• Reach out and start a conversation if you notice something is different. By stepping closer and reaching in we can encourage those with suicidal thoughts to reach out.
• Find out what help is available for both you and others. By stepping closer and reaching in we can support those in need by sitting in their pain.

Often people thinking of suicide give out lots of signals that they are not okay. One of the best things we can do is ask how they are and be prepared to listen. Start a conversation if you are worried about someone you care about – get them talking, connect with them, listen to them.

• “Connecting through kōrero” gives advice on having safe, open, honest and compassionate discussions about suicide (Mental Health Foundation).

What to do if someone has attempted suicide, or you’re worried about their immediate safety

• Call your local mental health crisis assessment team (numbers below) or go with them to the emergency department (ED) at your nearest hospital
  • Canterbury and Mid-Canterbury – 0800 902 092
  • South Canterbury – 0800 277 997
  • West Coast – 0800 757 678
• Call 111 if they are an immediate physical danger to themselves or others.
• Stay with them until support arrives.
• Remove any obvious means of suicide they might use.
• Try to stay calm and let them know you care.
• Keep them talking: listen and ask questions without judging.
• Make sure you are safe.

Getting help if you having suicidal thoughts or you’re worried about someone else

When someone tells you they feel suicidal, or feel like “ending it all”:

• Listen without judgement. Often having someone to talk to can help keep someone safe.
• Take them seriously. Every attempt to reach out for help is an opportunity to help keep someone safe.

Many people worry that intervening will making the situation worse. This uncertainty is understandable as suicide is a difficult issue, and some believe that talking about it may instigate vulnerable individuals to contemplate the idea or trigger the act.

Evidence suggests that the offer of support and a listening ear are more likely to reduce distress – rather than exacerbating it. The listening ear of someone with compassion, empathy and a lack of judgement can help restore hope.

There are several helplines you can call for support or information:

• 1737 – call or text for support from a trained counsellor anytime.
• Lifeline Aotearoa – 0800 543 354 or free text HELP (4357) anytime.
• Suicide Prevention Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) anytime.
• Youthline – 0800 376 633 or free text 234.
• Samaritans – 0800 726 666.

The Mental Health Foundation has information and resources on supporting yourself or someone else who is suicidal.

Sources: Mental Health Foundation, Lifeline Aotearoa and International Association for Suicide Prevention websites.

Connect with your community during Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week will be held from Monday 23rd to Sunday 29th September 2024. This year’s theme is “Community is… what we create together”.

There’s no denying that the past few years have been challenging for Aotearoa, with extreme weather events, rising costs, and political divides affecting us all. Mental Health Foundation research to understand how weather events like Cyclone Gabrielle impacted wellbeing revealed that community is the key to getting through tough times.

Community looks different for everyone – that’s the beauty of it. It’s about connecting with others to create something together. So the Mental Health Foundation is encouraging the people of Aotearoa to define, build, and celebrate their communities.

Connection is the ngākau/heart of our wellbeing. It weaves us together, making us feel seen, heard, and understood. When we nurture meaningful connections with others, we fuel our own happiness. Strong social connections are essential for our life satisfaction and overall health, which is why being part of a community can provide us with a sense of belonging, purpose and connectedness.

• Get more information about Mental Health Awareness Week, including how to order resources.

Mental Health Awareness Week is also underpinned by Te Whare Tapa Whā.

Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori health model that describes health as a wharenui/meeting house with four walls. These walls represent taha wairua/spiritual wellbeing, taha hinengaro/mental and emotional wellbeing, taha tinana/physical wellbeing and taha whānau/family and social wellbeing. Our connection with the whenua/land forms the foundation.

Source: Mental Health Awareness Week website.

Get protected with cervical screening

September is Cervical Screening Awareness Month. You should have regular screening tests if you have a cervix (including trans or non-binary people), are between 25 and 69 and have ever been sexually active.

The current test for the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV), and there are two ways you can have the test:

1. A vaginal swab that you can do yourself (self-test) or by a health professional; or
2. A cervical “smear” sample which needs to be done by a health professional.

Your healthcare provider can help you find out which type of test is better for you.

Both tests take about 10 minutes. You may have pay a fee for the test with a health professional – no more than what you would usual pay to see a doctor or nurse. Any follow-up tests are free.

Find out when your next screening test is due by calling your GP or freephone 0800 729 729.

• Find out what you need to know cervical screening and why it’s important.

Regular cervical screening can help keep your cervix healthy

Young girls and women are being encouraged to get up to date with their cervical screening this Cervical Screening Awareness Month.

Cervical cancer starts in the cells lining the cervix, and is triggered by cell changes usually caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).

One way that HPV is spread is by sexual activity. Eighty percent of people who have been sexually active will have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.

Any changes on the cervix can be detected with regular cervical screening and then treated before they become cancers.

Cervical cancer usually develops very slowly (up to 10 years), so it’s easy to detect and treat cell changes early. Treatment is as simple as removing the affected tissue, and has a really high success rate.

Cervical screening is for eligible women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 69. It is recommended that you have a cervical screening every 5 years  – or every 3 years if you are immune-deficient.

Get the HPV vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer

Young girls and women are being encouraged to get up to date with their HPV immunisation this Cervical Screening Awareness Month.

HPV immunisation is currently free anyone aged 9 to 26 years – whatever your gender. The HPV Immunisation Programme aims to protect young people from HPV infection, which causes more than 90 percent of cervical cancers.

• Find out more about the HPV immunisation programme.
• Download a pamphlet on the HPV immunisation programme – available in multiple languages.

Source: Health NZ Information and Services website.