Transcript Document
Protective factors
and support for
suicidal people:
what families need
Corinda Taylor - Chairperson
Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust – Dunedin
https://www.facebook.com/LifeMattersOtago
http://lifematters.org.nz
Effects of mental illness and
suicide on families
Bewilderment,
helplessness, confusion, shock, heartache,
devastation, distraught, upset, frustration - symptoms
likened to grief
Stigma,
The
shame and loneliness
last taboo
“Suicide
takes life without regard to age, income, education,
social standing, race, or gender. Nobody is immune.”
Prevention:
Recognising the symptoms
Changes
Severe
in behaviour, personality and/or mood: not communicating
weight loss / sudden weight gain
Insomnia
Stress,
/ can’t get out of bed
loss of job, not coping at school/university
Reckless
behaviour
Relationship
Increased
Giving
or heavy use alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs
away possessions
Sadness,
First
failure
hopeless, helpless, anger, poor self esteem
episode psychosis- prodrome/disorganised thinking, psychosis,
hallucinations, delusions, paranoia
Mental health services should:
Inform
11(f)(2)
families of suicidal ideation.Privacy Act 1993 Principle 10(d)(2)
Provide
support/education for families – DHBs move healthcare into the
community
Train staff in suicide prevention (DHBs responsibility)
Suicide
prevention training to be mandated by government for key
frontline staff
Include
families. Blueprint 2: Dr Lynne Lane. Associate Commissioner
WHO
“ families are crucial to the treatment and recovery processes of
their unwell relatives” 2002
Have
a good working relationship with families with understanding,
empathy and compassion
When
we invested in other diseases, we dramatically reduced the rates
of death. If we invest in suicide prevention — we have a good chance at
bringing it down
Postvention
Postvention = Prevention
Families
left floundering/desperate need to connect with
Families
do not have contact with other bereaved –isolation
others
In
Dunedin no support by Southern DHB or Postvention
services
Should
follow up to establish who is at risk – avoid contagion
Should
follow up on important anniversaries
Should
provide contact details and regular contact
Life Matters Suicide Prevention
Trust Dunedin
Aims and Goals:
Open
dialogue about causes and effects of suicide - Identify gaps
Run seminars and workshops
Facilitate
suicide prevention training and education for
community
Bring
in speakers about cutting edge scientific research that is
evidence-based
Working
at regional and national level to improve prevention
LM
policies according to NZ government current SP strategy
and action plan
The
economic cost of not caring is huge and NZ government
could do more to address the problem
We
support people to get the help they deserve
Life Matters Suicide Prevention
Trust
Thank you to the community members and Trustees in
Dunedin for making this group so successful. Cohesive
communities can make a big difference.
Suicide is preventable. There is help. There is hope.