If someone is having thoughts or feelings about suicide, it's important to take them seriously.
That's what Whanganui District health board associate director of nursing (mental health) Jeff Hammond says, as he shines the spotlight on suicide for this week's Mental Health Awareness.
"Given that we are losing precious young people to suicide in New Zealand, I think now is a good time for the Whanganui community to be open about the subject and to learn all we can, to enable us to help those who might be at risk," he said.
"People who feel suicidal often feel they are alone and, in some circumstances, that they are a burden on their family, whanau and friends when these are often the very people who can help them find a way through their despair."
Mr Hammond encouraged people to learn more by visiting the foundation website, mentalhealth.org.nz, contacting services featured on the "Well-being and Suicide Prevention" poster, or visit the hot link titled Emergency and After Hours Care on the health board website wdhb.org.nz.