2010 News
December
Responding to people at risk of suicide - a new SPINZ resource
Everyone can play a useful and important role in identifying and responding to people at risk of suicide. A new resource Responding to people at risk of suicide - How can you and your organisation help? is intended to provide organisations and individuals with easily accessible information concerning appropriate responses to managing suicide and self harm. It will be useful 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.
Topics covered include risk factors and warning signs of suicide, common myths about suicide, understanding suicide across cultures, how to help someone at risk, what to do in a crisis, and what you can do to look after yourself.
Hard copies can be ordered from the Mental Health Foundation's Online Shop.
Read today's related press release from the Mental Health Foundation.
What do psychiatrists really think?
The Like Minds team at Mind and Body Consultants is contracted to partner with its local Auckland and wider metro DHBs to find out what psychiatrists think about their work.
A psychiatrists’ perspectives survey aims to evaluate psychiatrists’ attitudes, how they experience their work and how those experiences could be improved. The survey is anonymous and Mind and Body is inviting as many psychiatrists as possible to take part.
Contact: Taimi Allan, Team Leader, Like Minds, Like Mine, Mind and Body Consultants Ltd, Ph: (+649) 630 5909 ext 871
Gender and the association between mental disorders and disability
The NZ Herald reports that men experiencing common mental disorders are more likely than women to have difficulties functioning socially and in their other roles.
This is according to an Otago University study by Dr Kate Scott and Associate Professor Sunny Collings, which counters other studies that suggest women with depression have more disabilities than men.
Their study is published in the Journal of Affective Disorders Volume 125, Issue 1, Pages 207-212 (September 2010)
Out of the Blue: Depression Campaign
November
Register for this month's Early Intervention Community Response to Suicide Risk Forum
Brought to you by ShoreSafe North Shore, the Early Intervention Community Response to Suicide Risk Forum is being held on 2 December, 9.15am to 12.30pm, at Sir Neil Waters Lecture Theatre Building, Massey University East Precinct, Albany Expressway (SH17), Albany, North Shore City. It will:
- Raise awareness of suicide as an injury issue
- Help you identify risk factors
- Provide information on local resources
- Equip you with skills to respond to suicide risks
A panel will cover a range of services available on the North Shore for specific population groups. Registration interest to Wayne Williams shoresafe "at" acns.co.nz or phone 09 489 4975 x 113.
Read the flyer to see who should attend and who is supporting this event.
October
Annual Candle Lighting Ceremony remembering those lost to suicide
Solace Support Group invites those who have lost a loved one to suicide to its annual candle lighting ceremony.
Where: St Columba Church, 92 Surrey Cres, Grey Lynn, Auckland
Date: Sunday 21 November 2010
Time: 4.45pm for a 5.00pm start
Please bring a photograph of your loved one for the remembrance table. Guest speaker this year is Lila O’Farrell, interfaith chaplain and grief therapist.
Solace is a peer support group run by people who have lost a loved one to suicide. The group offers a supportive environment for grieving people to meet and share their experiences. Solace welcomes anyone from the wider Auckland region.
Following the ceremony a light supper will be served. All very welcome to attend. For more information contact solacesupport@paradise.net.nz or Mark Wilson 360 6410 or Allan Aitken on 832 4571.
August
SPINZ Director Merryn Statham on Radio New Zealand discussing the reporting of suicide statistics.
July
Connectedness is important for all people - World Suicide Prevention Day theme
World Suicide Prevention Day this year, 10 September, has the theme ‘Many Faces, Many Places: Suicide Prevention across the world’.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says while there are significant differences in the profiles and circumstances of suicidal individuals in different parts of the world, it is clear that the experience of ‘connectedness’ is important in the mental health of all people.
WHO’s International Association for Suicide Prevention (ISAP) website ponders how can we best connect with each other in a world that appears so disconnected?
ISAP “strongly believe if our communities work towards being better connected, through sharing information, expertise and time, we can do a great deal to help those who are in need, desperate, and vulnerable to suicide.
“[And that] through a combined effort at an international and local level, a difference to the lives of many will be made.”
Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand is in the process of planning for World Suicide Prevention Day and will give more details online about this occasion in due course.
In the meantime, it’s a good time for us all to start thinking about how better to connect with the communities that surround us.
First NZ research into media reporting of suicide released
A research project into the way the New Zealand news media reports suicide cases finds it is generally more responsible than international media coverage and unlikely to encourage further suicidal behaviour. International studies have shown media reporting of suicide can have an impact both negatively and positively on suicidal behaviour.
The research project was the first of its type conducted in New Zealand. Project leader Dr Brian McKenna, Director of the Centre for Mental Health Research at Auckland University, says media reporting of suicide in New Zealand is extensive, with nearly 3,500 news items in press, television, radio and selected internet sites over a year.
The research was commissioned by Te Pou o Te Whakaaro Nui, the National Centre of Mental Health Research, Information and Workforce Development as part of the Ministry of Health’s New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2008 – 2012.
Read a news report on the research
Read Reporting of Suicide in New Zealand Media - Content and Case Study Analysis
May
Suicide Prevention in Pacific Communities
Watch SPINZ Director Merryn Statham interviewed on TV3's Pacific Beat Street, which screens Sundays at 11.35am. Merryn's interview starts at 9:40 on the video track.
SPINZ looking for Kaitakawaenga - National Maori Provider Liaison
We are seeking someone to fill this new national role. The succesful applicant will work in partnership with health and social services to provide quality and timely information, and to support the implementation Te Whakauruora: Restoration of Health a suicide prevention resource developed by and for Maori with Te Rau Matatini. We are seeking someone with knowledge and experience in the suicide prevention, mental health or social service sectors that has well established regional and national networks. Confidence working with research is essential as is the ability to establish meaningful links with services across the motu. Project management and effective communication skills are also necessary as is an understanding of te reo Maori me na tikanga. A relevant tertiary qualification is desirable.
As a national role requiring regular travel this position will be based in Wellington, initially with Te Rau Matatini for implementation of Te Whakauruora.
Job description and application form.
The closing date for applications is 9 June.
April
Sign up for the Suicide Prevention Regional Symposium
Crowne Plaza
128 Albert Street, Auckland City
Friday 7 May 2010
9 am to 4 pm
Lifeline Aotearoa and Auckland DHB are hosting this symposium in May to share information about work and services in the region that relate to suicide prevention and self harm, and to share information about new initiatives and discuss ways to use the Suicide Prevention Action Plan.
It is aimed at professionals working in government, police, social services, corrections, justice, health, and educatio, non government organisations, community agencies and groups, iwi based organisations, and other interested groups.
There will be presentations from local researchers and investigators including health care professionals, community groups, and local government, as well as regional service providers involved in suicide prevention research, policy development, and practical initiatives
We will look at the recommendations in the Local Suicide Prevention Action Plan that came out of the government funded investigative project in Auckland and Manukau. There will be several opportunities for groups to meet and talk about local action and interventions to reduce self harm and suicide in your community.
See the flyer to register.
Contact Information: Lorraine Coelho, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Phone 09: 630 9943 Ext 26408, email: lcoelho "at" adhb.govt.nz
March
Detection, assessment and management of suicidal patients in primary care settings
Presentations by Dr Paul Quinnett, a clinical psychologist and the President and CEO of the QPR Institute, an educational organisation dedicated to preventing suicide. He and the QPR institute have developed and tested a variety of award-winning and best practice public health and clinical intervention strategies to reduce suicide attempts and completions.
While in New Zealand, Paulwill present on addressing the challenges and opportunities for the detection, assessment, and management of suicidal patients in primary care settings. His presentations will focus on current problems with suicide screens and the assessment of immediate risk, and will offer solutions for enhancing patient safety by reducing the three most common preventable medical errors.
Presentation learning objectives:
- Understand statistics about suicide
- Describe the benefits of intervention and treatment of suicidality
- Identify three avoidable practice errors
- Institute routine practices to detect suicidal patients
- Understand the need for training in suicide risk assessment
- Be able to identify where support can be found and referrals made
Presentations will not teach QPR or a risk assessment protocol, training in QPR is available through Clinical Advisory Services Aotearoa (CASA).
SPINZ, CASA and the University of Auckland invite you to a free afternoon forum with Dr Paul Quinnett and Dr Sarah Fortune. Please see flyer for details.
February 2010
University of Otago Postgraduate Course: Suicidal Behaviour, Research and Prevention 2010
This course is designed to provide an introduction to suicidal behaviours and is appropriate for those who work in education and counselling as well as for professionals in health, mental health, social services, emergency medicine, youth work, psychology, justice, child welfare and related fields.
It is the only postgraduate academic course in suicidal behaviours, research and prevention offered in New Zealand and the course will operate for the fifth consecutive year in 2010. More than 75 students have graduated from the course; they are highly enthusiastic about the course and a sample of typical comments follow:
"This is the best postgraduate paper I've completed. A wide range of lecturers brought in to give diverse aspects of their own areas of expertise"
"Loved having a variety of speakers highly regarded in their fields. I consider myself very lucky to have had lectures by them"
"It was fantastic to have so many influential lecturers sharing their knowledge"
"In my six years at university, I have found this paper to be the most interesting and informative. A positive is definitely having such qualified individuals presenting current issues"
In 2010, the course is being offered as a Block Course (two blocks of four days each), which will be held in Christchurch 14-17 July and 29 September to 2 October.
PSMX 429 Suicidal Behaviours, Research and Prevention
Enquiries to:
Professor Annette Beautrais, Canterbury Suicide Project Annette.Beautrais "at" yale.edu
Dr Lois Surgenor, Department of Psychological Medicine Lois.Surgenor "at" otago.ac.nz
Mary Hayes (Secretary, Canterbury Suicide Project) Mary.Hayes "at" otago.ac.nz
Phone (03) 372 0406 (Mary Hayes)
