If you’re having thoughts of suicide, you are not alone. This resource from The Mental Health Foundation offers clues, tohu and suggestions for how to make your way out of the bleakness or pain you’re experiencing. You won’t always feel like this. You can download the free book Having Suicidal Thoughts and Finding a Way Back. 

Taiohi/young people know suicide is a big issue in Aotearoa, and they know it affects most of us in some way. They may come across it through the media, they may know someone who has died by suicide or be supporting a friend who is feeling suicidal. They may have had thoughts of suicide themselves.

Although it can feel hard to kōrero/talk about the tough stuff, it’s important that we can all have safe, open, honest and compassionate kōrero about suicide so our taiohi feel heard, supported and understood.

The Connecting Through Kōrero guidebook and videos are for parents, caregivers, teachers, counsellors, aunties, uncles, friends and other whānau members - anyone who cares about taiohi and needs tautoko/support and guidance to kōrero with them about suicide. Watch the video(s) that best suit your situation and read through the sections below, and see the Mental Health Foundation's Useful Resources page for additional information. Download the free Connecting Through Kōrero guidebook.

If you are concerned that taiohi in your life may be having thoughts of suicide right now, this resource will not be useful to you. Instead visit the Mental Health Foundation's Worried about someone webpage for more information.

Written with extensive consultation with Māori suicide prevention experts, whānau and communities, Tihei Mauri Ora: Supporting whānau through suicidal distress will help whānau and friends to support someone who is in distress or crisis. It features information about warning signs to look out for, how to handle a crisis and explores ways to support loved ones struggling with suicidal thoughts and feelings. 

Connection, a sense of belonging and working together are crucial for the wellbeing of all individuals, whānau and communities. Yellow Brick Road is a national organisation that provides support for whānau who have a loved one experiencing mental health challenges. 

SUPPORTING YOURSELF AND OTHERS

"What Happens Now?" - this information is a suicide prevention factsheet intended for people who have survived a suicide attempt and their whānau, family and friends. To download for free visit here.

After hearing about the suicide of someone you love or someone close to you, the first days can seem like a blur. There is a lot of information to take in, difficult decisions to make and hard things to deal with. You may also have many questions – not all of them will be possible to answer, so we offer practical information and a guide for you at this difficult time. After a suicide is a website with information and resources for family, whānau, and friends.