Suicide prevention

Most people who attempt suicide don’t want to die – they just want their pain to end or can't see another way out of their situation. Support from people who care about them, and connection with their own sense of culture, identity and purpose, can help them to find a way through.

Information service

Through the Mental Health Foundation's information service, we can link you to information about suicide prevention support available. Otherwise, if someone has attempted suicide, or you're worried about their immediate safety, you can do the following:

• Call your local mental health crisis assessment team or go with them to the emergency department (ED) at your nearest hospital.
• If they are an immediate physical danger to themselves or others, call 111.
• Stay with them until support arrives.
• Remove any obvious means of suicide they might use, eg, guns, medication, car keys, knives, rope.
• Try to stay calm and let them know you care.
• Keep them talking: listen and ask questions without judging.
• Make sure you are safe.

Factsheets

For more information about supporting yourself or someone else who is suicidal, we have developed a series of online factsheets:

• Suicide: worried about someone? 
• Suicide: coping with suicidal thoughts
• Suicide: after a suicide attempt
• Self-harm
• Suicide: supporting someone online
• Connecting through Kōrero: Talking about suicide with taiohi/young people

Helplines

• Helplines and local mental health service booklet
• Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
• Lifeline 0800 543 354 or 09 522 2999 or free text 4357 (HELP)
• Suicide Prevention Helpline 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOK0)
• Youthline 0800 376 633 or free text 234
• Samaritans 0800 726 666.

The Mental Health Foundation works alongside a range of other suicide prevention initiatives as part of the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006–2016. We also have information on suicide bereavement.

ORDER FREE SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES

Matua Rawiri Wharemate - kaumātua and kuia on suicide prevention

Matua Rawiri Wharemate (Ngātiwai, Ngāti Moerewa, Ngāpuhi) talks about supporting young people to achieve their potential, through building connection with whānau, culture, tikanga and matauranga, and developing resilience and self-worth. He shares an example of whānau working together with services to help a young person through suicidal distress.

This video is part of the series: He kōrero enei mo te kaupapa mate whakamomori o ngā kaumātua kuia - Voices of kaumātua and kuia on suicide and suicide prevention.

This video is part of the series: He kōrero enei mo te kaupapa mate whakamomori o ngā kaumātua kuia - Voices of kaumātua and kuia on suicide and suicide prevention.

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