Far North author curates suicide loss stories for healing anthology

Debby Curreen, from Hihi, in the Far North, with her first published book 'The Long Cold Nights of June'.

Suicide is not a subject many people want to talk about, despite it affecting many in society.

Far North writer Debby Curreen hopes to lift some of the stigma surrounding suicide and help those impacted heal.

She has compiled a book of stories from people who have lost loved ones to self-harm.

Curreen, who lives in Hihi, south of Mangōnui, is the author of several poetry and short story books.

In 2006 she lost her brother George (Hori) to suicide.

His death was devastating for the family. As part of her recovery, Curreen collated a book of poems called The Long Cold Nights of June, which followed her healing process.

“The aim was to offer healing and hope to others who have lost their loved ones to suicide,” Curreen said.

The book proved so popular she is now collecting stories from others who have experienced similar trauma.

The book is: More Than This - An Anthology of True Remembrance Stories From The Suicide Bereaved.

“The anthology will be a labour of love,” Curreen said.

“The intention is to talk about and remember happier times and the legacy that was left behind - a different and more positive conversation around suicide loss.”

Contributors so far are from New Zealand, with a few from overseas.

Curreen said in the stories submitted, family and friends remember the “beautiful, creative, generous, big lives that their loved ones lived” before their deaths.

“In sharing the stories of our loved one’s greatness, we get a look into what drove them in life, the creative force that kept them up at night making wonderful, imaginative, colourful pieces of art or excelling in the technology or business world, farming, horticulture, whatever their passion in life was.”

Far North author Debby Curreen is collating a book of stories from other people bereaved by suicide to help people with their own healing journey.

Curreen said the anthology will be released in June - the 20th anniversary of George’s death.

Any profits will be donated to Lifeline NZ after administration, printing and promotion costs are covered.

Curreen is fundraising to cover the publishing costs.

People wanting to put their story, poem or prose forward can contact Curreen via email: debcurreen@gmail.com.

Authors will be accredited and their work will remain theirs under copyright law. If the piece has been published elsewhere, that will also be acknowledged and either contributor will be asked for a short bio.

New Zealand has one of the highest suicide rates in the developed world, with Northland having the highest rate in NZ, particularly among youth.