MP pushes for mental health training in Rangiora as part of national strategy
From Local Democracy Reporter Adam Burns:
-------------------
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey is imploring North Cantabrians to engage with a national suicide prevention initiative so people are better equipped to talk it out.
LifeKeepers is an internationally proven, community-led programme, funded by the Ministry of Health, which melds an ‘‘evidence-based approach’’ with local knowledge, and Doocey believes the stigma of not reaching out needs to be discarded.
An all day LifeKeepers training course is scheduled to be held in Rangiora on February 1, however the country's shift into the red setting of the traffic light system means the event will go ahead with limited numbers.
Doocey serves as the National Party's mental health spokesperson and was approached by Canterbury healthcare consultancy Pegasus Health about the initiative, one of several national programmes established to tackle New Zealand's steep suicide numbers.
"Part of my work in parliament is to break down the barriers," he said.
Doocey is a member of a cross-party mental health group alongside Labour MP Louisa Wall, the Green Party's Chloe Swarbrick and ACT MP Brooke van Velden.
The group commissioned the Zero Suicide Aotearoa report, released in 2020, which argued for to "a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach that involved central government agencies, local communities and whānau".
"What that means is suicide prevention for dairy farmers is going to be a lot different than what the approach is about suicide prevention for young people," Doocey said.
"What we need for people who are working on the ground is to equip themselves with the skills and then translate them into those local communities."
Pegasus Health suicide prevention coordinator Elle Cradwick said the training, which she described as one of the best initiatives in the country, would offer practical tools to have important conversations.
"The training is certainly designed for everyday people, weaving in everyday experiences," she said.
Doocey said he was determined to help break down "some of the stigma".
"My assumption is a lot of people may see training like this and think 'I'm not sure if I want to be involved in that'."
Another mental health initiative, Mates in Construction, which targeted mental health in the building industry, was scheduled to host an event earlier this week in Christchurch, but was postponed due to the change to red.
Doocey said the construction sector had the highest suicide rate of any industry in the country.
Canterbury police officer Don Munro said it was also not a widely discussed subject among agricultural-based districts, such as the Waimakariri.
"It's an issue with all age groups," he said.
"It's because we don't talk about it, or discuss it with the run-of-the-mill, staunch farmer because they don't want to be seen as being weak, or to be seen to have an issue.
"There is a stigma attached to traditional Kiwi-New Zealanders, you have to get in there and have those conversations and acknowledge it's OK to be not OK."
Rangiora after-hours clinic faces more delays
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The wait continues for a promised North Canterbury after hours healthcare facility.
Work is yet to begin on the proposed new Rangiora Medical Centre at the Rangiora Health Hub on Ashley St, which was first proposed more than five years ago.
The Waimakariri District Council granted a resource consent for the project in 2022, while the building consent is still being processed.
A council spokesperson said the application was on hold while some civil construction details are resolved by the applicants’ consultants.
‘‘We hope to be able to grant the consent in the very near future.’’
The Ministry of Health entered into an agreement with South Link Health Group in 2021 to build the after hours facility, following a petition being presented to the former Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) two years earlier.
South Link Health Group is a network of 26 medical practises, and is responsible for funding and constructing the new facility.
It will include full radiology services (ultrasound, CT and MRI scans), GP services, a pharmacy, and urgent after hours healthcare.
A spokesperson for South Link Health said in December work was expected to begin on the site in March, with the medical centre on track to open in the first half of 2025.
In the meantime, limited after hours healthcare is available at Durham Health, Rangiora, and the Amberley Medical Centre, and at local pharmacies.
Residents can ring 111 in an emergency, contact their GP to speak to a triage nurse, call Healthline 0800 611116 for free advice from a nurse, or arrange online video consultations with a doctor (for a charge).
The after hours triage service is delivered by Whakarongarou and operates in North Canterbury, with access to a St John paramedic if a face to face assessment is required.
A rural after hours service, Ka Ora Telecare, offers phone or video consultations with a doctor. Go to kaora.co.nz/app/services/sub-services/3. The Pegasus 24 Hour Surgery in Christchurch is also available.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Loading…
