Posts Tagged ‘suicide’

WINZ: where hope and dignity go to die

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, October 4th, 2017 - 66 comments

“It is not okay that nearly everyone I have advocated for at WINZ, has broken down in tears during appointments and have often been close to a panic attack. Most people I advocate for at WINZ unanimously tell me it is a humiliating and utterly defeating experience.” – political writer and community activist Chloe King.

Lifeline funding cut

Written By: - Date published: 1:10 pm, August 2nd, 2017 - 58 comments

Funding to Lifeline has been cut in favour of an organisation with a family link to Bill English. It may be completely innocent as all the interested parties claim. But it’s not a good look to be destroying Lifeline, an organisation doing world class work in an area of desperate need. You don’t easily replace that experience.

Trying to bury bad news

Written By: - Date published: 5:06 pm, August 1st, 2017 - 29 comments

It’s a busy news day, so… Government axes Lifeline contract. Yes, we still top the western world on youth suicide.  We still have regular stories like this today. So what does the Government do?  Cancel the money that Lifeline uses to train thousands in suicide prevention. $800,000 – a massive amount to Lifeline and the […]

Beneficiary reduction targets, homelessness and suicide

Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, July 26th, 2017 - 41 comments

Most people would be shocked to learn that each WINZ case manager is assigned the target of getting a certain number of people off the benefit every month. This is one of the reasons why we have such a punitive and aggressive welfare system. Fewer than half of those removed from the benefit go to jobs. The Nats neither know nor care what happens to the rest, but links to the rising number of homeless and our shocking suicide statistics should be investigated.

Nats’ shameful surrender on suicide

Written By: - Date published: 11:31 am, July 18th, 2017 - 16 comments

The Nats know all about the importance of monitoring and goals when it comes to effecting change. So naturally: “A goal of reducing New Zealand’s total suicide rate by 20 per cent over 10 years was rejected over fears the Government would be held accountable if the rate didn’t drop.”

The cost of the surplus

Written By: - Date published: 12:39 pm, July 6th, 2017 - 9 comments

Where are our priorities?

Suicide, Mike King, and mental health services

Written By: - Date published: 7:59 am, May 19th, 2017 - 38 comments

On the issues of suicide and mental health, the choice is pretty clear. Bungling and abuse from National, a positive plan for action from Labour.

Another Lifeline cut

Written By: - Date published: 7:07 am, July 1st, 2016 - 45 comments

budget-quote
— Deborah Russell

More blood on its hands as National Ltd™cuts mental health funding in Christchurch

Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, February 16th, 2016 - 101 comments

‘ In between slurping simpers during his most recent session of MediaWorks virtual fellatio, John ‘The Liar’ Key managed to express concern for the emotional well being of Cantabrians after yet another earthquake rattled their region. Whether John Key is actually concerned is moot,  but he is certainly in a position to know there is real […]

Don’t vote for more pokie victims

Written By: - Date published: 10:41 am, July 11th, 2013 - 50 comments

It seems that the Sky City Bill means pokies in Auckland InterCity bus terminal. So much for monitored and controlled environments. Those MPs who vote for this legislation are voting for more social harm, including more suicide. Contact them – ask them not to create more pokie victims.

Suicide and community

Written By: - Date published: 1:13 pm, August 27th, 2011 - 67 comments

Following the release of data by the Chief Coroner, suicide is once again getting some time in the headlines.  Coincidentally, news from Christchurch supports the suggestion that stronger communities reduce suicide rates.

Flavell fails on suicide

Written By: - Date published: 9:23 am, July 28th, 2011 - 45 comments

Last week, Jim Anderton said that the tidal wave of youth unemployment we’re experiencing will lead to more suicides. He’s right. The best response from the Right: slash young people’s wages and that might create a few more jobs. But Te Ururoa Flavell’s suggestion to ostracise and condemn the dead is just as bad.