DECEMBER 2005

Suicide Help

At recent Pensions and Welfare Committee meetings at RNZRSA National Office, concern was raised on the incidence of suicide among our veteran members of the RSAs. Based on the pro-rata rate for suicides in the general population, there is a disturbing representation of suicides by veterans in all age ranges.

While there is often little opportunity of actually preventing someone who has decided to take their life, one way by which we can all assist is by the early detection of signs that an individual is depressed and may be considering doing harm to themselves, and providing to them the appropriate assistance.
The organisation behind the “Living Works” programme designed to assist with the identification of these trends approached the RNZRSA Pensions and Welfare committee to advise of a course that can provide the basic skills for intervention before it is too late.

Living Works is for anyone interested in being able to recognise suicidal signals, have the confidence and skills to intervene and the ability to resource the person concerned until more expert assistance is available. On completion of a two-day course they aim to have people confident about being a “suicide first aider”
The RNZRSA Pensions and Welfare Committee recommends that Association RSAs consider putting selected staff through one of these courses. Ideally they should be those who have regular contact with the majority of local RSA members. That could be Bar staff, Welfare Officers, or the Secretary/Manager.
Indicative costs for each course is $120.00

“Living Works” is run by the New Zealand Living Works Office, 95 Gt South Road, Greenlane, Auckland. Contact details are:

PO Bnox 74010 Market Road,
Auckland 1005,
Tel: 09 524 3080,
Fax: 09 524 3092,
e-mail livingworks@lifeline.org.nz

They also have a website at: www.livingworks.org.nz