SCDHB

Organisations working with vulnerable people in South Canterbury have met to discuss the actions needed to reduce suicide

The South Canterbury District Health Board has formed a new group, called the South Canterbury Suicide Prevention Reference Group. It met for the first time at Timaru Hospital on Tuesday December 6.

At the meeting were representatives from DHB mental health services, public health services, local iwi, the police, WINZ, and community organisations including Victim Support, the Senior Citizens' Association, Family Works and the Aoraki Multicultural Council. Others expected to join the group in the near future include a GP, an education sector representative and an employer representative.

Sponsoring the project is the South Canterbury DHB general manager of secondary services, Christine Nolan.

She says everyone in the community has a role in preventing suicides. The new group will spend the next six months drawing up an action plan to promote better mental health and wellbeing in South Canterbury, and to reduce suicidal behaviour.

This will include identifying groups in the population who are at high risk, and identifying gaps in access to the services and support that is available for them. The plan will also include more communication on the many sources of help that are available for local people.

"We recognise that issues around mental health and suicide are currently of concern to the community and want to do everything we can to let people know there is help and support available if they, or if someone they know, is feeling down or low and it doesn't seem to go away," says Mrs Nolan.

The South Canterbury Suicide Prevention Reference Group has been planned for some time as part of a wider strategy to improve early access to advice and support. This includes a commitment by the DHB to meet the challenges posed by the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy, which was released in 2006.

"Every year approximately 500 people die by suicide in New Zealand and each suicide has a profound impact on friends, family, whānau, and often whole communities. The number of suicides in South Canterbury remains a concern, and one suicide is one too many," Mrs Nolan says.

"Community agencies are working together to build the resilience of the community and it's up to all of us to help by caring for those around us and offering support at times of stress or difficulty."

If you know someone who is experiencing one or more of these warning signs it is very likely that they need support:

• Direct threats to suicide

• Indirect threats to suicide in verbal statements e.g. "I can't bear to be alive", or "Life is not important and I want out"

• Accessing items to use for suicide

• Obsessions with writing, drawing, talking, or listening to music about death, dying and suicide

• Depression

• Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, shame, or rage

• Isolating oneself from others

• Unexpected and sudden changes in behaviour or routine.

• Excess intake of drugs and alcohol

• Withdrawal from family and friends

• Paying off all bills and outstanding debts

• Making a will

• Giving valuable or precious gifts away to particular people

• Deliberate self-harm

• Death or terminal illness of a relative or friend

• Gut instinct telling you that something is wrong.

The following can act as buffers against suicide and self-harm:

Self-esteem

Coping and problem-solving skills

Connection with family and community

Access to health care

Support systems

Clear cultural identity

Maintaining employment

For non-urgent help:

If you or someone you know is not coping, seek help early from a GP or practice nurse. General practitioners can also refer you to a confidential early intervention service to help you get depression under control before it becomes a serious problem. There are also many community agencies in South Canterbury offering counselling and support.

When things get serious:

South Canterbury DHB has a 24 hour-7 day service so people who are at risk of suicide can receive immediate help. This is also the first point of contact for any member of the public or other agency with serious concerns about someone in the community. Anyone living from Glenavy in the south to Rakaia in the north, and inland as far as Mount Cook can use this service. The 24/7 phone number is 0800 277 997.