STILL – World Suicide Prevention Day 2019

Tuesday 10th September-World Suicide Prevention Day.

Sit Down In Silence to Stand Up and Speak Out.

We welcome you to join us for a Silent Sit In on this significant day – Cathedral Square, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand.

We will provide a comfortable space for all to join us and acknowledge what this day means to them – to hold space and remember our loved ones lost, to acknowledge and empower the fighters and share stories of recovery, hope and light.

Through this we hope to reduce the stigma and silence associated with suicide, mental health and addiction. We aim to encourage a productive and positive approach to mental illness and encourage open and honest conversation with our friends, tamariki and community. We hope for each and every human to know that it’s ok to ask for help, and there is no place for shame here.

There will be welcoming warm hugs, and jars with lit candles-these will light up our event and our memories and thoughts of love, hurt and hope as we sit in peace for 15 minutes silence commencing at 6:30pm. We ask you to please arrive with time to peacefully enter the space and make yourself warm and comfortable. Candles will be provided, please bring a glass jar with you if possible.

Our peaceful protest will be followed by a small korero with local whanau, professionals and advocates.

This event will have a special focus on suicide prevention-with an abundance of information on services available for those who may need it, including those supporting a loved one living with a mental illness. It will also be a safe and welcoming space for bereaved friends and whanau to come and hold space and remember loved ones lost. All are welcome.

Please feel free to bring a blanket, cushion, something warm. We also encourage you to bring photographs and something special from loved ones if you feel comfortable.

We invite you to stick around and join us for warm cups of tea and check out some of the invaluable services available in Canterbury and Aotearoa.

We understand this is a difficult matter for some,and that discussion and events could be triggering. We aim to approach all content with respect and love.

This will be a welcoming and safe space for all to grieve, grow, share and release.

This is how healing begins. This is how stigma is challenged. This is how we become better.

We look forward to seeing you.

Where to get help
Lifeline (open 24/7) – 0800 543 354
Depression Helpline (open 24/7) – 0800 111 757
Healthline (open 24/7) – 0800 611 116
Samaritans (open 24/7) – 0800 726 666
Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Youthline (open 24/7) – 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz
0800 WHATSUP children’s helpline – phone 0800 9428 787 between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day.
Kidsline (open 24/7) – 0800 543 754. This service is for children aged 5 to 18. Those who ring between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays will speak to a Kidsline buddy. These are specially trained teenage telephone counsellors.
Your local Rural Support Trust – 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)
Alcohol Drug Help (open 24/7) – 0800 787 797. You can also text 8691 for free.
For further information, contact the Mental Health Foundation’s free Resource and Information Service (09 623 4812)