In 2016, Leo committed suicide after the 7.8 magnitude Kaikōura earthquake shook Wellington. Apparently, he had talked about it with friends for two years as fun. They contended about who was able to predict his or her death. After the earthquake, Leo texted his friends that he just won the bet. He had taken his young life.

Suicide is a mental issue involving the intentional act of killing oneself. Some of suicide acts can be impulsive as a result of life challenges, while others can be accidental. Apparently, the prevalence of suicide has increased over the years, especially for teenagers.

PREVALENCE

New Zealand has the highest rate of suicide among teens aged 15 and 19 globally according to a BBC report by Andreas Illmer. Apparently, the rate is twice as high as in the US and five times higher than Britain.

The number of people taking their lives in New Zealand has been on the rise. In a report by the Ministry of Justice reviewed in New Zealand suicide rate highest since records began, 668 people had committed suicide.

CAUSES

One of the major causes of suicide is depression. Research shows that nearly 90% of people who commit suicide had a mental health problem. Suicidal thoughts can be caused by serious life stresses. Leo, for example, worked part time in a restaurant as a chef and by the time of his death, he was working in a busy supermarket. Such stressful work conditions can make someone feel sad, lonely, angry, anxious, or depressed, and may occasionally trigger the thought of “I’d be better if I died that go through all this.”

Things like school workload and bullying can make you stressed as well, which may lead to suicide. For example, a week prior to Leo’s death, he had been assaulted. That caused him minor injuries that he failed to seek treatment for. Other stressful events may be caused by domestic violence and abuse.

It is also imperative you know that teens who have a family history of suicide or exposure to mental health illnesses that trigger suicide are at a risk of committing suicide themselves.

WARNING SIGNS

When someone behaves unusual, watch out. Impulsive behavior can be a sign of wanting to attempt suicide. Impulsive behavior include, but is not limited to increased substance and alcohol abuse, violence and aggression, irresponsible sexual behavior, and truancy. Apparently, in 2013, Leo’s mum witnessed the conflict between him and her partner, she requested the assessment of her 15 years old teenager. Indeed, Leo was assessed at the Wellington Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Leo had also began abusing alcohol and drugs.

Some teenagers lose hope and meaning in life. You will note they begin giving away their possessions, losing interest in things they used to do before, avoiding friends and social activities (withdrawing), and lack of concentration.

When a friend or yourself constantly talks about suicide, they or yourself are most likely contemplating to commit the offense. For one thing, for Leo, threats of suicide, drugs, and alcohol were common themes of his conversation over the past two years. By the time he was committing suicide, it emerged that he had talked about this with his friends, who thought it was a joke.

Also, when someone has attempted suicide before, it is likely that they will attempt suicide again. For example, in 2015, Leo was found attempting suicide in the sick bay. According to the article by Virginia Fallon, ‘ … Leo […] made two suicide attempts before his ultimate death’.

TREATMENT

The first response to addressing suicide is by reporting to an adult (parent, teachers, neighbor, counsellor, or police). Counselling can assist with dealing with depression, self-esteem, and other mental health issues.

There is not medication for suicide. Even so, it is imperative to seek treatment for mental health issues that may trigger suicidal thoughts. Generally, most antidepressants are considered safe for treating depression. However, the drugs have strict warnings, which include an increase in suicidal thoughts for users below the age of 25 years. It is common to feel embarrassed seeking treatment for mental health problems. However, you’d rather get embarrassed but stay safe and end up with a better life.

There is need for a strong support network to keep teens in check. Talking about suicide feelings can sometimes be hard. More so, friends may fail to understand why you feel that way, as in the case of Leo. It is imperative to reach out to friends and make sure there are people around to offer emotional support when needed. For example, one can join a support group to deal with suicide feelings.

Treatment and support may also be valuable for suicide survivors. They would need compassion and empathy from others surrounding them. That helps with dealing with the stigma that comes with losing a loved one. In the event that a friend loses his or her brother or sister, do not be afraid to approach them. Do not judge or condemn them. Love on them, knowing that they might also be at risk of committing suicide, especially with extreme isolation.

Where to Seek Help in NZ

If you suspect that a friend or yourself is about to commit suicide, don’t waste time. CALL 911 FOR HELP.  You can also get help by contacting the following institutions. Contact 1737 Need to talk? via free call or text to 1737 any time to obtain support from a trained counsellor. Lifeline via 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 for assistance within Auckland. The Youthline via 0800 376 633, free text on 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat. Also, the Suicide Crisis Helpline can offer help by calling 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). What’s Up can also help by contacting them on 0800 942 8787 (for 5 to 18-year-olds). The organization offers telephone counselling during the weekdays, but are available online daily between 7pm and 10pm. Kidsline is open 24/7 via 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for all teenagers up to the age of 18. You may also get help in religious centers, such as, church and mosque. Do not suffer alone. Share what you are going through with close friends, relatives, teachers, and people who care about you.