Hope as town goes in search of suicide answers

Anna Wallis Photo/File

The town of Marton seems to be taking the right steps to avoid a repeat of the spate of suicides in the region in 1996.

The recent suicide of a teenager, a person in their 50s and an attempted suicide have provoked the town to act now.

Suicide, for legal and other reasons, isn't talked about that much.

But every family has a story to tell.

Marton is moving now to help its young in particular, who can make wrong decisions very quickly and in an emotional cauldron.

Suicide prevention is the key to helping people.

Often it's reported people who take their own life seem to be more positive just before they act. What can be misinterpreted as turning the corner is often just the relief of making a final decision. And that's what people closest to those at risk need to be informed about.

Marton's concert Safe n' Sound has a certain symmetry to it - organiser Kereopa Rewiti-Wright is the son of Gypsy Wright and Arohanui Rewiti who organised a similar event back in 1996 to get people talking and get information out.

Rangitikei mayor Andy Watson is also on board, but he has expressed some of the disquiet we all feel about the issue and any publicity.

In the end, Mr Watson decided openness about suicide and suicide prevention was the most useful response.

It's known that between half and three quarters of people who take their own lives tell at least one person beforehand. And measures such as communication and suicide prevention appear to have had some success.

The suicide rate in New Zealand peaked in 1998 and has dropped steadily since but there have been some alarming trends, including an increase in youth suicide.

In 2006 associate health minister Jim Anderton in a forward to the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006-2016 wrote the "anguish and despair following the suicide of someone we love can be overwhelming".

The bereaved wanted answers to two questions: why and what could be done to stop them.

Marton is looking to answer both on March 1.

Information is available at spinz.org.nz, the home page of Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand.