Hawke’s Bay was the hardest hit region during Cyclone Gabrielle in February, which destroyed hundreds of homes and livelihoods and took a significant toll on people’s mental health.
Mental Health Foundation of NZ CEO Shaun Robinson, who splits his time between Hawke’s Bay and Auckland, said every suicide left a big impact on families and communities.
“There are still deaths,” he said, of Hawke’s Bay over the past year. “I really want to express that even one death has a huge impact and that is not just the person, it is their family, it is their friends, it is their workmates, it is their community that is affected.”
However, he said suicide was often “a lot more complex” than people may first think.
“I’m not surprised that there has not been a jump in suicides post-cyclone, because what we know from other natural disasters ... is that at the time of a crisis, communities pull together, and that is a very strong protective factor for someone that might be struggling.
“That sense of belonging and of having a purpose and of being connected to other people is really positive for people’s mental health and wellbeing and is a strong protective factor for suicide.
“So we don’t have what perhaps people might assume, which is that the crisis leads to more deaths or leads to a lot more mental health issues.”
Robinson said people in Hawke’s Bay would likely face a “long tail” for years to come in terms of mental health challenges from the cyclone.
He said it was important to build up that sense of community connection and support, felt immediately after a crisis, for the long haul.
“If we do that well then people can come through this mentally and emotionally well, but we need to pay attention to next year’s figures and the year after that,” he said.
“It is important that no one is alone and no one is left behind in communities.”
He said there was very high demand for mental health support immediately after the cyclone, and that appeared to have dropped back to normal levels now.
“I hasten to add when I say normal levels, it still means an overload, because our mental health system is not adequately resourced.”
According to the latest data, nationally the rate of suicide has remained stable year-on-year and is 10.6 suspected suicides per 100,000 people.
Where to get help
- Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
- Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
- Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
- Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
- Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
- Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz|
- What’s Up: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7 days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm
- Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.
- Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
- Healthline: 0800 611 116
- Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
- OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm)
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
