Suicide awareness day brings about new book (+video)

Ahead of Suicide Awareness Day on Saturday, a local writer has released a book on helpful ways to battle depression and overcome it.

Michelle Edhouse said her book, Unlocking Unhappy, was full of strategies based on the tools of Access Consciousness.

Access Consciousness is a step-by-step processes to facilitate being more conscious in everyday life, founded by international speaker and author Gary Douglas.

"It's a set of tools and techniques that you can use to change anything, they are based on the energetics of stuff rather than cognitive mind."

She said she had suffered from post-natal depression and used the tools to get herself out of it.

"Suicide is so hard on everybody that is left behind. Most of the people I know who have either committed or attempted suicide have done it because they have no other choice. They can't see any other way.

"So that's what my book is... there is a different possibility if you choose it.

"We need to change the stigma about not talking about unhappiness and sadness that builds up to become what causes the suicide. Society doesn't allow us to voice that. We need to change that. It's about opening up conversation for people who are hitting those dark spots."

Unlocking Unhappy is available at www.amazon.com in both print and kindle editions.

Where to get help:
Lifeline - 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. Text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz.
0800 WHATSUP (0800 9428 787), Open between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.
Healthline - 0800 611 116

For more information about support and services available to you, contact the Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service on 09 623 4812 during office hours or email info@mentalhealth.org.nz.