Lifeline CEO calls on NZ personalities for help

Lifeline CEO calls on NZ personalities for help.

A recent international trend has started with high profile people raising awareness around suicide prevention. This is certainly a trend Lifeline Aotearoa CEO Jo Denvir supports.

Some of the international celebrities showing their support for suicide prevention are Joel and Benji Madden, Miley Cyrus, Stephen Fry, Natalie Imbruglia, Dan Conn (NRL), Rove McManus.

“It is always encouraging when media personalities choose to highlight suicide prevention.” Says Ms Denvir. “Lifeline welcomes any high profile personality in New Zealand who would like to come on board as a Lifeline Ambassador to help us with our campaigns.”

With 569 provisional suicides this year, more than the road toll, more than work-related deaths, more than the total homicides in New Zealand - it doesn’t sound like a big ask.

But unfortunately, like many other tough issues, suicide prevention seems to get relegated to the backbenches. A sentiment Ms Denvir agrees with.

“You know suicide affects us all, it’s a community health problem that we need to become aware of and know what to do should thoughts of suicide occur.”

With Mental Health Awareness week coming up (5-11 October) Ms Denvir hopes that people will take the opportunity to talk with their loved ones about the tough stuff.

“Being aware of our mental health includes talking about our feelings.” Says Ms Denvir.

Talk and share the load – a great challenge for this coming mental health awareness week.

If you need to talk to someone about thoughts of suicide call 0508 TAUTOKO (82 88 65) or call 0800 LIFELINE (54 33 54) to talk and share the load.

ENDS

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