Ashburton seeks help after suicides

Press, 29 May 1989, Page 3

Ashburton seeks help after suicides

Ashburton people, meeting after a spate of suicides shocked the town, decided yesterday they needed a health resource centre

The centre would be a readily identifiable calling point for those needing help. About 180 people attended a seminar on mental health which was opened to the public after recent publicity about a group of troubled Ashburton teenagers. The seminar was organised some time ago for health professionals, but became a focus of community concern. It was attended by some people close to three boys who committed suicide, some of whom reportedly sniffed glue. The local member of Parliament, Mrs Jenny Shipley, and the Medical Officer of Health, Dr Steve Gee, were chosen to speak to the news media, which had been excluded from the seminar. Both endorsed the meeting’s call for the Canterbury Area Health

Board to provide Ashburton with a health resource centre. Mrs Shipley, said the meeting had been constructive, with more than half those present speaking out. Formal and informal groups had been

set up to deal with problems. Many people had been surprised to learn that the town offered 84 help services. Frustrations were expressed, however, about knowing where to go and in getting urgent attention. Mrs Shipley said difficulties with referrals would be taken up with the officials and departments involved. A need to identify potential suicide victims and provide support for them and their families had been highlighted. Mrs Shipley said the town had to realise it had to plan a solution, even if it meant banging on doors to get help. Unemployment and solvent abuse were sources of frustration. Young people needed to be positive and maintain selfesteem. They needed also

to be realistic and realise the benefits of education, Mi's Shipley said. Dr Gee said the Ashburton Hospital Board needed to develop professional back-up services. That re? sponsibility now rested with the new Christ-church-based Area Health Board. Some news media treatment of a sad and serious problem had been irresponsible, Dr Gee said. Publicity highlighting drug or solvent connections could encourage people to try either and stories on suicides tended to increase their incidence, he said, citing an American study. The seminar, which ran for about four hours, was attended by two members of the crisis intervention team from Christchurch Hospital, representatives from the police, and youth and social workers.