Blokes told it's OK to ask for help

A new suicide prevention strategy, due out next month, needs to include teaching kiwi blokes that it is okay to ask for help.

It is now acknowledged there has been too much focus on youth suicide and the Government is about to announce a new approach and funding.

Men aged 25 to 44 have the highest suicide rate.

Alan Blackburn, chief executive of Man Alive which runs programmes for men, applauds the shift but says it needs to be tailored in a way which reaches men.

He says health professionals need to be trained in how to spot the signals in men, who tend to try to remain stoic.

Mr Blackburn says currently it is almost seen as unacceptable to fund services specifically for men.

- NEWSTALK ZB