Friday, March 29, 2024

Suicide: Call it what it is

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Suicide affects communities and strong communities are needed to combat the problem of youth suicide rural New Zealand is still experiencing at alarming rates. Mainstream media have to be careful how they report suicide cases and suspected cases. Their hands are tied by the law. 
Federated Farmers says falling international dairy prices have contributed to a ‘perfect storm’ of on-farm challenges.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

How often do you hear a report of a loss of life and police are not looking for anyone in connection with the death. 

Our house knew three young people who lost their lives to suspected suicides before Christmas 2017. 

So, with best intentions, I got together three young men and put them in my hay shed, turned on a camera and asked them to speak openly about their loss of a close friend, farm worker and nationally awarded sportsman. 

The devastating loss and pain, the questions of why and what could have been done all came up, the friends didn’t hold back. 

The video is an insight on the damage done, it’s a realisation of how life has changed for young people and it gives suggestions of what needs doing to help those in trouble from men who were hurt by the loss, questioning themselves a little and not sure how to deal with the changed environment they and their friends now find themselves living in.

When it’s released please take a look at their story, it will take you the time you drink a coffee. 

I urge you to think about people around you, ask if your community is still as connected as it was 20 years ago and if you think you know someone who might need a visit, share that coffee with them. 

Does the local stock agent bring a lolly for the kids who sit on the rail while the lambs are drafted, are those kids allowed to sit on the rail these days? 

Is the bank manager engaged in clients’ lives, visiting them on-farm as often as they used to? 

When my father died early in my life my bank manager sat on my quad and went with me for a farm tour.

By hell, that helped! 

Our accountant used to call in for a whiskey and check out the state of affairs on his way back to Wanganui. 

We docked neighbours’ stock and they did ours, we went out on Friday nights, played pool and shared a beer with young and old and we talked to each other. 

Many an older, wiser farmer might see a young person or family struggling and just turn up one day for a look at the farm and while riding around together open a conversation. 

These days we don’t seem to have that time and now look for contact via a device in our hands. 

I suspect, as did the young men I videoed, this leads to further isolation and will increase the issues of depression, loneliness and despair.  

The rural support programmes are strapped for funding and perhaps not really the silver bullet needed. 

They are there to help but if you do take the time to watch these young men talk you’ll see it’s mentors and community strength we need. 

We cannot lose any more activities or assets in our remote communities and social engagement needs to be accessible and affordable. 

A few years ago while commentating jet-sprinting at Griffith in Australia it was noted the local shire sent farmers struggling with drought tickets to the race meeting and accommodation prices were reduced. 

We know how to support our farmers during a natural disaster such as floods and earthquakes but do we do it as often as needed locally or on a day-to-day basis? 

With that in mind I approached the Ashburton Trotting Club to host a Farming Families day at the races in support of those under pressure from Mycoplasma bovis and the mid-winter grind.

It agreed and many rural support industries came to the party to ensure we had a good day of communication, entertainment and community spirit. 

It was amazing to see the support this event received and to watch farmers enjoy the company of like-minded people and a day off the farm.

Where to get help:
Rural Support Trust: 0800 787 254
Lifeline: 0800 543 345
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865
Depression helpline: 0800 111 757

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