Today over on Instagram’s instastories (add me: happymumhappychild), I shared this graph. Just take a moment to let this sink in …
Fuck that shit. Seriously. That’s a disgusting statistic.
A few people doubted these statistics, so here’s the source: https://www.oecd.org/els/family/CO_4_4_Teenage-Suicide.pdf
Then after sharing that statistic, I was inundated with people saying “I was suicidal but couldn’t get help until I actually harmed myself” or “my partner couldn’t get help until it involved him getting hurt“.
AGAIN – FUCK. THAT. SHIT.
I am beyond saddened that people who need help can’t get it. Heck one of my girlfriend’s can’t get psychological help for an accident that happened because the ACC need “proof” that she’s affected by it mentally. This involves her having to wait up to 4 weeks to get treatment for PTSD.
WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH OUR SOCIETY.
As a parent, who’s children are only 5 and 7, I am terrified for the teenage years.
Not because of their emotions, but because of bullying; and everything else that comes along with it.
I’m heavily involved in technology so know how brutal it can be BUT I wasn’t raised with it. So it’s new territory for me.
Will I be able to navigate them through this time? Will I be enough of a parent to be able to be there for them whilst they struggle?
We need to change something in our society so that EVERYONE has access to help when it comes to mental health.
The hardest thing about it is acknowledging something needs to change and then to start talking about it.
Communication is key.
I don’t know how to change society, but if I could, I would.
I hope you are all ok out there – mental health issues are SERIOUS and we should all take it that way.
I am not a medical professional, however if you are concerned about yourself or someone else, please get in touch with the appropriate professionals (including your GP):
- Lifeline (open 24/7) – 0800 543 354
- Maternal Mental Health Urgent Response Service – 0800 800 717
- 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.
- For further information, contact the Mental Health Foundation’s free Resource and Information Service (09 623 4812).
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