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Suicide expert to speak in Christchurch

Digby Werthmuller
Dr. Jonathan Singer
Dr. Jonathan Singer, main speaker for the Suicide in Schools Workshop  Grow

Jonathan Singer will present at the Suicide in Schools workshop, which aims to address the high rates of suicide in NZ.

Suicide In Schools Workshop event website says suicide is the second leading cause of death in New Zealand for people aged between 12 and 24.

Jonathan Singer is on a mission to change that.

Singer, who is a licensed clinical social worker and associate professor of social work at Loyola University Chicago, will speak at the event about the impact of social media and other forms of communication technology in relation to youth suicide.

The overarching aim of the workshop is to highlight ways to identify and respond to suicide risk.

Singer has a podcast called the Social Work Podcast, in which episodes are downloaded over one million times per year.

WHERE TO GET HELP

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.

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

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 at www.whatsup.co.nz.

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 Helpline (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).