Speaker gives youth a voice on suicide

Te Roopu Hauora O Te Arawa rangatahi representative Aroha Oneroa spoke at Turamarama ki te Ora, the national suicide prevention conference in Rotorua yesterday.

Aroha Oneroa is adding a youthful voice on ways to help prevent suicide.

The 17-year-old is a rangatahi (youth) representative on Te Roopu Hauora O Te Arawa, the iwi governance body for the Lakes District Health Board.

She was one of the speakers at the Turamarama ki te Ora conference yesterday, a national suicide prevention event. The three-day conference opened in Rotorua on Sunday. It was organised by Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao Trust and is being held at the Holiday Inn.

"I am speaking on behalf of all rangatahi, what they are feeling and thinking before suicide. We did a survey from different high schools asking students for their feedback in October last year," Aroha said.

"Things like what stresses them out, what things distract them in life. Responses we found that caused stress were issues with school, having to meet high expectations [academically] with New Zealand Qualifications Authority."

Aroha said other issues young people struggled with were relationships and sexuality. She has seen the impact on families when a young person has taken their own life. " ... I've seen a lot of broken hearts and families"

Aroha has suggested social services engage more with young people in social media forums to offer support. "It's a huge privilege to talk here ... [Health and social] services can hear our voice and hear what we have to say and hopefully take that with them when planning annual strategies."

Other speakers were Waiariki MP and Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell, Key to Life Charitable Trust Ambassador and comedian Mike King and Maori Party president Rangimarie Naida Glavish.

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.