Vulnerable lacking ‘societal support’
The foster father of a young man who died by suspected suicide in a mental health unit says the rising number of deaths are symptomatic of bigger problems in New Zealand.
Tamaki Heke, 24, who was a talented musician, had foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) – an incurable syndrome transmitted during pregnancy.
He died on May 16, and is suspected of taking his own life at Auckland’s He Puna Waiora mental health unit.
Suicide statistics released on Monday showed the country’s suicide levels had reached their highest-ever level, with 685 people dying in the year to June 30.
Men continue to be more at risk, with 68 per cent of the deaths this year men, and there was also an increase in suicide statistics amongst Ma¯ori and Pacific Islanders.
Heke’s foster father, Peter Willcox, said the figures were not good but was surprised they were not higher because of a lack of societal support, especially for Ma¯ori and Pacific Islanders, on the issue. ‘‘They’re a vulnerable population ... they are a group that struggles more with historic, post-traumatic stress symptoms.’’
Heke had spent three years in mental health units, often sedated because of outbursts because of the frustration of being there.
Willcox said his foster son was manifesting signs of mental illness, which was linked to FASD but also from trauma he had experienced throughout his life.
‘‘You have this person [Heke] that was very complex, now presenting with a heap of problems and the problem was, he was so unwell by the time he got into the system that it was very difficult to get him out of it.
‘‘Particularly when we treat patients on our current model, which is basically a psychiatricbased model .. they see people as what I’d say are ‘organic computers’ and then use drugs to try and get that computer operating under control, then it’s ‘see you later’.
‘‘That’s when we get people like Tamaki who come out in the end, kind of stupefied by the drugs,’’ Willcox said.
Heke’s death continues to be investigated.
The provisional suicide statistics also showed an increase in the number of young people dying by suicide, particularly those in the 15 to 19 year age group, where numbers rose from 53 to 73 over the same period.
Willcox said society was changing very rapidly for young people and older generations did not understand the pressures placed on them especially around self-image and bullying, which took a huge toll.
‘‘Our suicide figures are purely a symptom of bigger problems such as imprisonment, health figures and homelessness. There are a huge amount of pressures which society is not taking responsibility for and dealing with.’’
Months after his foster son’s death, Willcox said talking about what happened was a way forward for him.
‘‘I look at the health department and they’re not facing up to it – I’m angry at the central government system for not understanding these people and not getting out there and talking, trying to understand what the problem looks like.
‘They’re stuck in their models – I would really like to see the community talking more about it because I think the answers are in the community, not in Wellington.’’