Rotary coordination and funding support is saving young lives on the Kāpiti Coast. This is thanks to a fresh initiative, Lifting the Lid on Suicide, developed by the Rotary Clubs of Kāpiti, Waikanae, Levin and Mana Whenua.David Barnes reports
Adrian Gregory, Rotarian and Chair of the initiative's Management Committee, told us that the Kāpiti community was concerned at the high number of teenage suicides there. This included 'clusters' of suicides and teens attempting to kill themselves sometimes up to four times before receiving help. Adrian explained the initiative is designed to complement existing support but provides quickly available funding to help students at high risk of suicide.
After building strong relationships with schools and communities, the Clubs successfully fund-raised and created a pool of money to pay for counselling or any other necessary intervention. Decisions on who and when to help are school-based and determined by the school counsellor and Principal. Lifting the Lid remains at arms-length from students receiving support - the initiative simply pays for the intervention after the Principal signs it off. Adrian described this initiative as 'simple, devolved and confidential'.
No teen suicides have been reported in the initiative's area of coverage since roll-out although Adrian spoke of the need for better data and evalution.
This is an example of a local level initiative which, with relatively few resources, is able to have an impact on the serious and urgent problem of teenage suicide.