Across the country kiwis are blessed with the opportunity to grow up in a nation free of war, access to education, and surrounded with an environment cleaner than most places around the world.
However, there is a systemic issue that has gripped the people at the core. Mental illness has swept the islands of Aotearoa like a plague which is causing concern for communities and is a serious issue.
Regardless of the taboo that lingers around this topic, it's something that's affecting the nation and it's something that we need to tackle as one.
Suicide isn't just a health issue, it's a social issue.
Despite the decrease in suicidal deaths with the increasing population, at least 500 people commit suicide each year which is a staggering statistic, or 12.6 people per 100,000. More facts and data sets can be found at the Ministry of Health.
Mike King has a brutal honesty about why people hurt themselves and what we need to do to reduce harm.
Mike King, Key to Life spokesperson, shares his thoughts on this too and his outlook for change - click on the link under the photo to check it out.
So we have the problem, but what can we do to create change??
The Ministry of Health put together a New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy which has the suggestions to tackle suicide head on:
- Promote mental health and wellbeing, and prevent mental health problems.
- Improve the care of people who are experiencing mental disorders associated with suicidal behaviours.
- Improve the care of people who make non-fatal suicide attempts.
- Reduce access to the means of suicide.
- Promote the safe reporting and portrayal of suicidal behaviour by the media.
- Support families/whānau, friends and others affected by a suicide or suicide attempt.
- Expand the evidence about rates, causes and effective interventions.
Young people, rangatahi, men and women, are all equally as important as one another. This attitude around mental health as a nation needs to change and is a conversation we need to start having more. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments on how we can build a culture with more whanaungatanga and acceptance so that everyone feels cool to korero regarding these issues.
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Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
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Regarding issues like these, I write a lot about similar things.
Recently a young woman died at the hands of a 'Coercive Conversion Program' which you can read about here.
On the other hand, you can read about what's happening to turn things around in our global society, check out these posts:
3/14: The Most Important Birthday
Shincheonji Volunteers: How to love your neighbours?
Ka kite ano / See you later
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