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Warning: this story is on the subject of suicide.
Former New Zealander of the Year Mike King criticizes Health Ministry for “burying” the 1000 letters suicide report led by Key to Life Charitable Trust.
The trust’s ambassador also targeted “those associated with the Health and Disability Commission (HDC)” for trying to “intimidate and intimidate” those behind the report.
Released on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, the report analyzed the content of the suicide notes to search for common themes to inform future suicide prevention efforts.
SUPPLIED
Key to Life Charitable Trust Ambassador Mike King center with Chief Health Officer Dr. Ashley Bloomfield left and former Health Minister David Clark pictured together in 2019.
Government health agencies asked that the project be scrapped because it did not have the approval of the Health and Disability Ethics Committee. Privacy and security concerns were also raised.
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Last November, the committee’s chair, Kate O’Connor, urged the trust to destroy hundreds of surrendered suicide notes, concerned that their contents could be a trigger.
The ministry said Stuff he was concerned that the investigation had the “potential to cause harm, even if it was not intended.” He wanted any research to have “appropriate checks and balances” and the results to be evidence-based.
On Monday, King accused the agencies of “creating fear” by “telling people that my report will probably kill people, creating hysteria without any proof.”
“And then when the report comes out and it refutes all the allegations, they just refuse to look at it, ‘because you didn’t get our approval.’ That’s bullying of the highest level, ”King said.
Bejon Haswell / Stuff
Mike King speaks at Tractor Trek in Timaru. Posted on March 8.
The mental health advocate did not believe that ethical approval was necessary, and the trust had a legal opinion from the Russell McVeagh law firm that supported this belief.
“In my opinion, it’s about keeping control of the narrative. And the narrative is, ‘We’re the experts, everyone else should be quiet, and if you’re in trouble, ask him for help.’ Well, not only is our report saying that the help is not there, but because of the stigma associated with suicidal thinking, the last thing I’m going to do is reach out and ask for help, “King said.
The HDC said it received correspondence from more than 100 people with lived experiences of suicide who were “concerned about the approach of the 1000 letters project had taken ”.
Mental Health Commissioner Kevin Allan wrote to trusted CEO Mike Dawes on August 17 outlining his concerns.
He described King’s characterization of office work as “bullying” as “disappointing and unhelpful.”
“The role of the HDC is to assess and respond fairly to complaints, and to promote and protect the rights of consumers of health and disability services.
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Mental health activist Mike King is unhappy that government health agencies are ignoring the findings of the Key to Life Charitable Trust 1000 letter report.
“As Commissioner of Mental Health, I will continue to monitor and advocate for improvements in mental health services and to evaluate consumer complaints related to these issues,” said Allan.
Chief Health Officer Dr. Ashley Bloomfield said the ministry had made “various efforts” to help Key to Life researchers obtain ethical approval.
“I don’t think that can be construed as an attempt to bury the report. In fact, we really wanted to see that if that investigation was to continue, proceed in a way that addressed the whanau of people who may have left suicide letters or notes, so I don’t share the same opinion. like Mike King.
“There are different opinions on whether a deeper analysis of suicide notes per se is likely to help us with our prevention efforts, and I think that’s where the concerns arose,” Bloomfield said.
King was “absolutely shocked” by the response.
“A familiar pattern is emerging in the Ministry of Health where [Bloomfield’s] people are not telling him the whole story and he constantly ends up with an egg on his face, ”King said.
The ambassador had not sent the report to Bloomfield, but said if “50,000 ordinary New Zealanders can find it, I’m sure Ashley can too.”
The ministry said there was a standing invitation for King to meet with the Directorate of Mental Health and Addictions and the Office for Suicide Prevention, but neither office has been taken over.
Where to get help
1737, do you need to talk? Call or text 1737 toll free anytime for support from a trained counselor
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222999 in Auckland
Youthline – 0800 376 633, toll free 234 or email [email protected] or online chat
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828865 (0508 SUPPORT)
What’s Up – 0800 942 8787 (for children from 5 to 18 years old). Telephone counseling is available Monday through Friday, noon to 11 pm, and on weekends, 3 pm to 11 pm. Online chat is available from 7 pm to 10 pm every day.
Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7.
thelowdown.co.nz – or send an email to [email protected] or send a free text message to 5626
Anxiety New Zealand – 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
Rural Support Trust – 0800787254 (0800 RURAL AID)
Supporting families with mental illness – 0800732825
