1. 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

2. Effects of mental illness and suicide on families  Bewilderment, helplessness, confusion, shock, heartache, devastation, distraught, upset, frustration - symptoms likened to grief  Stigma, shame and loneliness  The last taboo  “Suicide takes life without regard to age, income, education, social standing, race, or gender. Nobody is immune.”

3. Prevention: Recognising the symptoms  Changes in behaviour, personality and/or mood: not communicating  Severe weight loss / sudden weight gain  Insomnia / can’t get out of bed  Stress, loss of job, not coping at school/university  Reckless behaviour  Relationship failure  Increased or heavy use alcohol, cannabis and/or other drugs  Giving away possessions  Sadness, hopeless, helpless, anger, poor self esteem  First episode psychosis- prodrome/disorganised thinking, psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia

4. Mental health services should:  Inform families of suicidal ideation.Privacy Act 1993 Principle 10(d)(2) 11(f)(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

5. Postvention  Postvention = Prevention  Families left floundering/desperate need to connect with others  Families do not have contact with other bereaved –isolation  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

6. 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

7. 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.