Chiefs help fight against male suicide

Ben Tameifuna

A support group aimed at preventing male suicide and domestic violence is being launched in Rotorua.

Mates Men's Network has 10 centres in New Zealand including in Hamilton, Tauranga and Whakatane, and will be launched in Rotorua tomorrow night.

The Chiefs Super Rugby franchise support the network, also known as Mates, and Chiefs players Hika Elliot and Ben Tameifuna will be speaking at the Rotorua launch.

Mates will meet every fortnight in Rotorua and will give men an opportunity to gain support and talk to other men about issues such as anger and loneliness.

The organisation was established to help eliminate the high rates of family violence and male suicide in New Zealand, as well as deal with other complex social issues.

The meetings are free to attend.

Mates chief executive Kerry Babbage said they wanted to reach out to men in the Rotorua community, and give them a place where they felt safe to share their thoughts.

"We lose 400 men to suicide a year in New Zealand, and 75 per cent of all the suicide stats are men," he said.

"We want to give men some support and help before that happens rather than being an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff."

He also said every four minutes in New Zealand police received a domestic violence callout. He said whenever men attended the meetings they always found it worthwhile.

Anyone is welcome to the free launch, at Parksyde Community Centre on Tarewa Place from 7pm to 9pm.

There will be plenty of speakers, including Elliot and Tameifuna, as well as entertainment and give-aways. The Mates fortnightly meetings will be on Wednesdays, from 7pm to 9.30pm at Family Works Centre, Eruera St, starting June 3.

Where to get help:
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (4pm to 6pm weekdays)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• The Word
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• CASPER Suicide Prevention
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.