Let's talk about the S-word

Suicide - The Facts

Depression is more common than cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined, and every year approximately 500 people in New Zealand take their own lives, with many more attempting suicide or experiencing levels of distress that place them at high risk of suicide.

Suicide is a common and serious problem resulting from a combination of factors, however many people do not know that much about depression and suicide—including who's at greatest risk, why, and when they are most likely to be vulnerable.

As I deal with clients who have severe depression on a daily basis I thought I would share some common misconceptions about depression and suicide.

"Depression and ultimate suicide are a sign of a weakness"

Major depression is the psychiatric diagnosis most commonly associated with suicide whereby two of every three people who commit suicide are depressed at the time they take their life. Depression has no single cause but is usually a result of a multitude of factors. While there are those with certain personality traits who are more likely to develop depression, it can strike anyone at any time.

Depression is a very dark and lonely place to be and it can manifest in a vast array of unusual and very unpleasant symptoms that just don’t seem to go away.

A common symptom is one of being totally “numb” to feelings and motivations and being completely sapped of the will to continue. Moving forward can often seem impossible. Depression can take time to overcome and cannot just be “snapped out of”. If anything, depression is a sign of courage, patience, strength and growth, rather than weakness, and this should be respected in those that have endured such an illness.

The Holiday Blues

Most people think the holidays (in particular during Winter) are a risky time, but suicides are actually lowest in December and peak in the Spring. While there will be many causes of suicide, after enduring a busy and long year, the pre-Christmas stress as well as attempts to meet deadlines before year-end can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and not seeing a way through. Thoughts about being lonely over the upcoming Christmas holiday as well as feeling like a burden, when everyone else is happy, can also be a major stressor for some.

Not so surprisingly, clients usually get better over the holiday period. I rarely get contacted over Christmas because my clients are away enjoying themselves, getting support from their family and friends and having a rest. September is usually a really busy time for me too so that backs up this statistic.

"Teenagers are most at risk"

While teenage suicides make headlines, the elderly are more likely to take their own life than any other age group. At particularly high risk are Caucasian men over the age of 85. Unfortunately, a lot of these cases may go undetected, which may be a result of being disconnected from the community itself and from available services within the healthcare system. I most commonly deal with the working population whereby the average client I will see will be male and between the ages of 40 and 60.

Are low income earners more at risk?

Some occupational groups with higher suicide rates might be at risk for a number of reasons, including job-related isolation and demands, stressful work environments, and work-home imbalance, as well as socioeconomic inequities, including lower income, lower education level, and lack of access to health services.

Recently one of New Zealand’s biggest concerns are our farmers - with the majority of suicides being those who live in the rural community. Mental health workers in New Zealand say farmers' stress levels are running high as increasing compliance costs, growing local and central government demands and weather events compound. The figures show 27 farmers committed suicide last year in New Zealand, compared to 22 in the previous year and 19 in 2012/2013.

In New Zealand, occupation influences suicide rates whereby "people engaged in paid work had one-fourth of the suicide rate of the non-waged. Those working in farming, fisheries, or forestry and trades had higher suicide rates than people in other occupations. Homemakers and people with office jobs had the lowest suicide rates. The continuing disparity in suicide rates between non-waged and waged workers is of particular concern and needs to be addressed. Farmers and trades workers should be monitored more closely". 1

"Men are at greater risk"

This is in fact true. While three times more women than men attempt suicide, four times more men than women are successful in their endeavours. This is often said to be because the women use it as a cry for help whereas men are certain that they want to go and that people will definitely be better-off without them.

Can talking about suicide give someone the idea?

Wrong. Studies prove that bringing up the issue of suicide with a suicidal person and talking openly about it is one of the most helpful things you can do. It is rare that someone with thoughts of suicide will broach the topic themselves and you may find that they still laugh and joke and carry-on with normal life while we are none the wiser. But, when someone talks about suicide it is a cry for help and not a wish to die. Help must be given. Talking together about what the person is feeling lets them know you care and that you want to support them.

Where to get help

The Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service (09 623 4812) will refer callers to some of the helplines below:

Lifeline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 354

Depression Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 111 757

Healthline (open 24/7) - 0800 611 116

Samaritans (open 24/7) - 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.

Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz

0800 WHATSUP children's helpline - phone 0800 9428 787 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.

Kidsline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 754. This service is for children aged 5 to 18. Those who ring between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays will speak to a Kidsline buddy. These are specially trained teenage telephone counsellors.

Your local Rural Support Trust - 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)

Alcohol Drug Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 787 797. You can also text 8691 for free.

1 Suicide and occupation in New Zealand, 2001-2005. Gallagher LM1, Kliem C, Beautrais AL, Stallones L.