Media Release 12 October 2015
Social Model Needed to Combat Suicide
12 October 2015 - Suicide prevention organisation CASPER is deeply saddened by figures released this year outlining that New Zealand
have the highest ever incidences of suicide.
Casper Trustee TeRata Rangi Hikairo says a new approach is required.
“We are appalled that funding keeps going into mental health solutions for suicide, when mounting research shows that
the mental health solutions never work. Since our inception as an organization we have always said that a ‘social’ model
is what is needed to prevent suicide.”
CASPER has long advocated that strengthening communities themselves is essential in combating suicide prevention.
“We call on the Government to invest directly into communities to prevent suicide. CASPER would go so far as to say that
the increase in mental health funding directly co-relates to the increase in suicide rates in New Zealand. This is a
national tragedy and we need to a fresh approach that is community based.”