Holiday suicide attempts

Press, 6 January 1987, Page 6

Holiday suicide attempts

During the ChristmasNew Year break Christchurch Hospital treated 14 people who attempted to take thier lives. That tally was no higher than at other times of the year. Mr Richard Greer, the senior clinical psychologist of the crisis intervention team, said most attempts were caused by problems in a relationship, or the death of someone close. Research had not established that people were under , stress at any particular time of year. Most people who attempted suicide had earlier been drinking or

taking drugs. “They are then not in a position to act rationally and have less control,” said Mr Greer. “An attempted suicide is a means of gaining help.”

The crisis intervention team provides a 24-hour emergency service. Mr Greer said that by being accessible at any hour the team could step in immediately when a person had accepted that help was needed. The team takes referrals from general ’ practitioners, the police or Social Welfare.

Over the holiday the team treated 43 people for a range of problems, including threatened sui-

cide and depression. These people were either admitted to hospital, given further appointments with the crisis team, or referred to other agencies. Most people seen by the team are under 30, and usually females outnumber males two to one. Mr Greer said this may be because males convey distress in other ways — by getting drunk or fighting.

“The young man involved in a motor accident may be making an attempt on his life. We often don’t pick up on males who need help.” Life Line in Christchurch received about 15

calls a day over the holiday. This was on a par with the numbers received during the year, said the director, Mr Allan Bloore. Callers had the same concerns as those receiving help from the crisis team.

Family and friends could help by recognising that a person could have a psychological or emotional problem. “Simply saying ‘snap out of it’ is not much help,” said Mr Bloore. People should be encouraged to seek professional assistance, and remember that depression does not mean family disgrace.