MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
12th August 2010

Samaritans support suicide awareness

Samaritans of Wellington are aware that more people die by suicide than on our roads every year.

“It’s a very frightening statistic and surprises many people. Our vision is for a society where fewer people take their own lives by suicide, so we agree that the suicide rate deserves more media scrutiny if it will help to reduce the risk of suicide,” says Bruce Wall, acting Chairman, Samaritans of Wellington and Chairman of Samaritans New Zealand.,

“Obviously we wouldn’t advocate for the release of information which would add to the grief of families. The public discussion needs to focus on the high rate of suicide and issues that might lead to it rather than the manner in which it occurs.”

Samaritans are very much in favour of raising the public profile of suicide and the emotional toll that it takes on people who are close to those who have taken their own lives.

Samaritans also support any additional funding that would help towards suicide prevention.

Samaritans want to help create a society where people are able to talk about their feelings openly, and people are able to respect the feelings of others.

“We feel that suicide should be talked about openly to help reduce the risk. Every caller who calls Samartans is asked it they are feeling suicidal. This is to ensure that people know it is okay to discuss the issue it rather than pretend it doesn't exist".

Samaritans listen; they don’t judge or give advice. They help to talk through options. That may not sound much - but it can make the difference between life and death and ultimately reduce the rate of suicide in our community.

As a non-religious charitable organisation, Samaritans provides a 24 hour, 7 day a week, confidential, non-judgemental listening service for people who are lonely, emotionally distressed or suicidal.

ENDS

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