Editorial: Time has come for a fresh look at attitude to suicide
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Editorial
OPINION: That New Zealand has one of the highest rates of youth suicide rates – and an annual toll that is 50 per cent higher than the road toll – are yet more disturbing pointers to just how far we have to travel in order to become the truly utopian society we aspire to.
It also suggests that something about the way society is currently responding to this most tragic of problems is lacking.
As well as approximately 540 suicide deaths a year – the 2009 road toll was 384 – more than 2500 New Zealanders are admitted to hospital each year because of intentional self-harm, including attempts to take their own lives. Just as pertinent as these stark figures is the barely comprehensible burden that must be carried by close friends and families of those who do commit suicide.
There are two main schools of thought around one small but important aspect of dealing with this highly sensitive issue – how much information ought to be publicly disclosed and reported in the media.
The conventional wisdom, articulated by the Ministry of Health and some leading medical experts, is that coverage of suicide be downplayed – particularly methods employed, and repetitive or frequent reporting, as it is feared this might encourage copycat attempts. Even use of the word suicide in headlines is frowned on, in case it might be seen as a final tipping point by desperate individuals. The low-disclosure policy was reinforced by a tightening of the Coroners Act in 2006.
A contrary view, long held by the mainstream media – and often supported by bewildered families struggling for answers – is that sensitive and more open reporting of suicide might well help save lives. "Gently opening the debate" by easing some of the media restrictions, as recommended this week by Chief Coroner Neil MacLean, would encourage discussion of this most disturbing of trends – one that is currently too readily swept into the too hard basket.
Perhaps parallels can be drawn with the hugely successful and significant mental health campaigns fronted by former All Black John Kirwan. Depression and other debilitating mental health issues were until recently ignored, stigmatised and hidden away. Mr Kirwan's courage in coming forward and sharing something of his own personal battle with depression far outshines anything he might have accomplished on the sports field, and has been immeasurably positive and important.
Other successful social campaigns have included focusing on domestic violence, seatbelt use, driving dangers, smoking and alcohol abuse. Yes, there is always a danger that some might draw an unhealthy encouragement from reading insensitivity handled or sensationalised accounts – even if such lurid reporting is most likely to occur, and be accessed by impressionable young people, within the uncontrollable social media. However, responsible coverage in mainstream newspapers could just as easily save lives by raising awareness of the warning signs and risk factors that parents, friends and workmates should be alert for.
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne says he will discuss the matter with Mr MacLean. This in itself is a healthy move. Painting over the cracks rarely solves underlying problems. Perhaps he will be prepared to bring an open mind to a most difficult and perplexing subject – rather than simply accepting what has long been the standard Health Ministry line.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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But why take a "let's try it and see" approach to people's lives when research has been showing for years that increased reporting = incresed suicides?
More coverage HAS worked for depression and other illnesses, but the same isn't going to be true of suicides.
I'd like to concur with Hannah #3
As someone who suffers from chronic depression I'd prefer not to hear of the massive numbers of successful suicides going on.
It's all on the internet now. Just recently actually some bloke was posting on a forum about killing himself, it didn't interest me much (the thread) to read but I can assure you for every couple of "don't do it man" there will be people egging him on.
Eventually he did go through with it, but through the pertinence of a IRC op he was located and the police were called.
He lived, and comes back to the same forum 3 weeks later to thank everyone. Was rather bizarre actually, but such is life in the 21st century.
I remember watching a music video by P.O.D. that addressed suicide once with a group of friends which broke the ice and led to a discussion on suicide. I think that increased reporting (not including methods) would help raise the issue and could show the hurt it brings to peoples families and friends. Lets try it and see if it helps ay? There is plenty of info on the internet if people decide to kill them selves and want to know how so getting people talking shouldn't make things any worse.
We don't need the Govt to look for solutions to this problem. Im convinced the solution lies within the family unit. Listen to your loved ones, take their concerns on as your own, this country has more than enough wealth & compassion to see to it that people survive. It should not be the Governments function to secure our mental health, in this respect, the Government should follow the citizenry. If you have a son or daughter in trouble, please assure them that you would rather die than see them take their own lives. Trust me - its all about the Aroha.
Playing devil's advocate here - and i'm sure I'm gonna get shot down in flames - but I think kids need to toughen up a bit when they're quite young and learn early on that there are winners and losers in this world and if things don't go their way they need to have strategies to cope with disappointment and failure and to learn from their mistakes/wrong decisions. Children are brought up to believe they are THE most precious and important creatures on the planet, that participation is the key, not winning, but that's not what happens in real life. When they become teenagers and find out they really are only a very little cog in a very big wheel and maybe their girlfriend really does like someone else better, it all becomes too much and they give up. Just my thoughts, basic as they are!
@hannah, I can understand if you're being triggered by the sheer quantity of discussion that's currently happening on this subject - I'm certainly reliving some of my suicidal experiences, mostly from a perspective of "how did I not carry it through?"
Honestly, I muddled my way through & it took a long time for me to sort out why I felt like that & how to get around it. Half the problem was thinking I was alone in this feeling - knowing that there were others & there was help available would have saved me about 5 years of recovery time.
I think the key making sure that the coverage includes advice on how & where to get help if you're in the same position - not just "go see someone", but a helpline number or useful website which can act as a portal. For you hannah, I'd suggest contacting either your current support team/counsellor or even just a GP, and request assistance with coping mechanisms to help you when you unexpectedly encounter these articles/discussions.
John McDonald
So whats the solution John? At the moment, NZ shamefully ignores the fact that there is a suicide probelm here and where does it get the country? It gets it to a point where more people kill themselves than die on the roads, never mind the failed attempts.
As well as that, just because something is "conventionial wisdom" doesn't make it right. All we do when we continue to sweep this matter under the rug, is to make it a taboo subject that no one wants to talk about, and tell me how that helps any person who is currently sick and considering this?
"However, responsible coverage in mainstream newspapers could just as easily save lives by raising awareness of the warning signs and risk factors that parents, friends and workmates should be alert for."
And therein lies the weakness - the mainstream newspapers in this country are quite incapable of providing responsible coverage of anything. Once you get it into your heads that you are here to report the news & not to make it, things might change. However, I can't see that happening.
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Anonymous & Hannah, I suffer from deep derpression too, however if we keep covering up the statistics nothing will be done about it, the government has always kept it under wraps so that no one questions why the figure is so high, because it reflects badly on them.... And if all this talk in the media makes you feel more suicidal what are doing seeking it out and reading for Anonymous & Hannah more sympathy... you trippers...