Thank you for your interest in the Southern Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2024 – 2027. We want to hear from you about what Southerners need to promote wellbeing, prevent suicides, and support those who are thinking of suicide or bereaved by suicide.
Your voice and experience is so important to designing the future of health services and identifying what supports are needed in your community!
Click here to access the survey.
Suicide has a wide-reaching impact on many lives across Aotearoa. In the calendar year 2021, 565 lives were lost to suspected suicide, 37 of those being Southerners. These numbers represent individuals, whānau, and communities bereaved by the loss of a loved one. Through collective action, suicide can be prevented, and we can create a community of hope, resilience, and strength.
Although there is no single cause for suicide, some of the risk factors for suicide include bereavement by suicide, a sense of isolation or loneliness, experience of mental health/addictions, previous suicide attempts, experience of trauma, or exposure to bullying.
Protective factors may include good whānau and family relationships, access to secure housing, stable employment, community support and connectedness, secure cultural identity, ability to deal with life’s difficulties, and access to support and help.
Why is this important?
The Southern Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2024 – 2027 is a strategy document that will outline health and wellbeing priorities in the Southern region over the next three years. It is put together by WellSouth in collaboration with other key partners.
The Southern Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2024 – 2027 will help organisations and government agencies to understand what actions they can take to prevent suicides in the community. It will also highlight the services that are out there and the work that is already being done.
What are we doing?
As part of developing the Southern Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2024 – 2027, we are carrying out community consultation to better understand the needs and priorities of the community. This consists of a public survey where anybody can provide their feedback, as well as community workshops across the region. Feedback will be collated and findings will be reported and used in the development of the plan. Any personal identifying data will be removed if quotes are used.
Who are we?
The WellSouth Suicide Prevention/Postvention Team coordinates suicide prevention initiatives in the Southern region, working together with Te Whatu Ora Southern and other health and community providers across the district.
When will the plan be released?
The final Action Plan document will be uploaded to the WellSouth website by the end of January 2024.
Contact us
If you’d like us to run a smaller workshop for your community/work group, or have any other questions/comments/feedback, please get in touch here (link to email SuicidePrevention@wellsouth.org.nz)
Where to get help?
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Otago and Southland
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Gore District,
Helplines
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). For counselling and support.
Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
Samaritans – 0800 726 666. Confidential, non-judgemental and non-religious support for anyone who is lonely or in emotional distress.
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). A free nationwide service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week which is operated by highly trained and experienced telephone counsellors who have undergone advanced suicide prevention training.
Healthline – 0800 611 116. For advice from trained registered nurses.
Mental Health Foundation Resources
Information on coping after a suicide
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Skylight– trauma, grief and loss
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Mental Health Foundation– 5 ways to wellbeing
Best practice and Information
Where to get suicide prevention/mental health training in your area: