Pacific suicide risk twice as
high
March 27
2012
Pacific young people
are approximately twice as likely to have depression,
anxiety issues, or to make suicide attempts as the rest of
the population.
And young Pacific people born in New
Zealand are most at risk as they are twice as likely to
experience mental disorder as those who have migrated to New
Zealand.*
The high suicide risk for young Pacific
people has prompted Pasifikology, a network of Pasifika
psychologists, graduates and psychology students to host a
symposium on suicide at a conference in Auckland in early
April.
The symposium will be part of the GPS
2012: Growing Pacific Solutions for our families
conference. The conference is the first ever conference
aimed specifically at addressing mental health, addiction
and disability issues within New Zealand’s Pacific
community. It has been organised by Le Va, Pasifika within
Te Pou – the national centre for mental health, addiction
and disability workforce development.
Dr Monique Faleafa, national manager of Le Va
and a member of Pasifikology said for the Pacific suicide
statistics to change, Pacific people in New Zealand must be
part of the solution.
“The New Zealand suicide
prevention strategy clearly identifies that suicide
prevention strategies aimed at Pacific peoples need to be
tailored for those peoples, and mindful of specific cultural
contexts and beliefs,” Dr Faleafa said.
“It
makes no sense to develop solutions which are not based in a
cultural context.”
At the symposium, psychologists
will look at specific issues surrounding suicide for Pacific
communities. Topics will include supporting people at risk,
warning signs, resiliency, the role of the family, how to
talk about suicide and the challenges of dealing with
suicide in community settings.
The symposium, to
be held 3.30pm, Wednesday 4 April, is open to all conference
delegates and to media representatives on request.
For more information about the conference, and to
register online, go to www.leva.co.nz
* Te Rau Hinengaro: The New Zealand
Mental Health Survey, Oakley and Browne et al, 2006.