Pocket directory for Hamilton and Christchurch youth

New pocket directory for Christchurch and Hamilton young people

28 May 2013
Linkage Webhealth has produced a colourful mini-directory to support young people in Waikato and Canterbury.

This pocket-sized resource provides easy to read information about a range of local services that are relevant to youth such as drug and alcohol, depression, sexual health and employment services.

The pocket directory is aimed at linking young people who have general health or wellbeing concerns to accessible services. Webhealth.co.nz also houses a comprehensive online directory of local health and social services for anyone looking for more information.

Linkage would like to acknowledge the generosity of Christchurch City Council and Hamilton City Council for the sponsorship of this project, and the support of Real, the Wise Group’s youth service.

If you would like copies of the pocket-sized directory to distribute, please contact webhealth@webhealth.co.nz or phone 0800 932 432.

Some useful contact details

Just following the last post. If after watching you feel there are any issues you need to talk to someone around or what to explore furhter please contact:

Mental Health Foundation - www.mentalhealth.org.nz/page/303-In-Crisis

Lifeline 0800 543 354 or (09) 522 2999
Suicide Prevention Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOK0)
Youthline 0800 376 633
Samaritans 0800 726 666

The lowdown - www.thelowdown.co.nz
Depression - http://www.depression.org.nz/ (JK’s stuff) helpline – 0800 111 757

There are also other resources on the wellbeing page of this site.

Keep going and don’t forget support

This is a little bit of a rant. I think that it is ok. It is my current view point and I am not claiming to be an expert in either issue.

The first is a gentle rant of support for those growing a mo. Keep it up. I have taken the easier route this year. I am ‘managing’ a team of mo growers, which I have done for a few years. This year I am not growing, although I am still collecting donations. I feel a bit of a cheat but I am sure the ends justify the means. I am telling people I am not growing and to donate to the team. I feel that is more ethical. Don’t be a hater as I am not suffering the growth of a Mo directly. I have been there (for 5 years) and understand the journey.

My second rant is a little less informed. New Zealand currently has a high suicide rate. Again cutting to the chase really quickly and with no apology, men still tend to be more successful in this area. Nothing to be proud of. Our media, however still really struggle to discuss this well. There are some great organisations out there working really hard to address this issue but it is not openly discussed when it happens, especially to public figures or high profile people, who are not immune.

There are even some professions with higher rates and people in these areas do not know what to do and may not know who to turn to. In todays society why can we not discuss this easier? I do not think people will copy it. I think if the true stories were told in a sensitive and thoughtful way it would help people look for the supports that they may need and may not be aware of. It does make me a little angry to think that people do not know who to turn to and we continue to just avoid the issue. It is not a solution.

The conversation needs to move away from a conversation within health and mental health to the office, the sports field and the class room. I am sure we are grown up enough to have this and find a way to do it without someone limiting our ability to use the S word.

Rant over.

Strengthen relationships to prevent suicide

Press Release: Mental Health Foundation
15 August 2012

Strengthen relationships to prevent suicide

The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) is encouraging all New Zealanders to think about how we can work together to reduce the suicide rate, chief executive Judi Clements says.

The Ministry of Health today released its annual statistical report Suicide Facts: Deaths and intentional self-harm hospitalisations 2010.

“While it is encouraging that rates of youth suicide are continuing to decline, it is concerning that Māori youth suicide rates are not showing the same downward trend,” Ms Clements says.

“The statistics tell us there needs to be greater attention to meeting the needs of men, of Maori rangatahi in particular, and of people living in rural and socioeconomically deprived areas.”

For the first time, a comparison between urban and rural suicides has been included in the Ministry of Health’s statistics. This shows a significantly higher rate of suicide in rural areas compared to urban, particularly for men.

“We encourage New Zealanders to start conversations about how we can support each other, build resilience and wellbeing and strengthen the connections we have with family, whanau, friends and the community. Some of the most effective protective factors against suicide are supportive relationships, belief in a positive future and a strong cultural identity,” Ms Clements says.

Suicide prevention is a core focus of the MHF’s work, which includes working with communities and professionals to support safe and effective suicide prevention activities, reduce stigma and develop positive mental health and wellbeing.

The MHF provides a suicide prevention information service (SPINZ) which has resources and information available to improve New Zealanders’ understanding of suicide prevention and increase their capacity to help. SPINZ resources include information about risk and protective factors for suicide, warning signs, common myths about suicide, understanding suicide across cultures, how to help someone at risk and how to look after yourself. The SPINZ service recently appointed a Maori resource development officer who is working to design suicide prevention information relevant to Maori communities.

“We also have strong, positive partnerships with the national Kia Piki te Ora network of Maori suicide prevention coordinators, and other organisations working together under the Government’s New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006-2016 and New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2008-2012.”

“Although Government support is essential, we can make a difference. We all have a role to play in preventing suicide,” Ms Clements says.

Additional information

SPINZ resources available from the Mental Health Foundation include:

• Responding to people at risk of suicide – how can you and your organisation help? – a booklet concerning appropriate responses to managing suicide and self harm. It is designed for organisations and individuals who do not have a primary role in supporting people at risk of suicide, but may have contact with people at risk of suicide as part of their core business.

• Information on Suicide Prevention – a series of videos presented by Judy Bailey on a range of topics including warning signs, risk factors, suicide bereavement, caring for someone who is suicidal, suicide in communities and suicide myths.

• SPINZ Newsletter – a regular electronic newsletter including stories about safe and effective suicide prevention activities in New Zealand.

ENDS

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