Looking after mental wellbeing can be complicated

IT was good to read your balanced report about a recent judgement from the Mental Health Commissioner (ODT, 12.10.19).

Most people have no experience of a crisis like this, of just how quickly it can escalate, and how judgements have to be made on the fly, to keep patients not simply safe, but alive.

You don’t put someone on a 10minute watch without very good reason, and as a mental health survivor, with experience in disability support, my sympathies here also lie with police and staff involved.

The commissioner has picked up obvious areas for improvement, especially in working with young people, but praise be, this youngster did not become another tragic victim of our deepening suicide crisis.

It is a long hard road back to wellness and it is to be hoped she now has insight into her illness and can move quickly to head off any new crisis. Derek Schulz

Paraparaumu

War memorials

I WRITE with respect for the Battle of Passchendaele in World War 1 and the sad loss of over 12,000 New

Zealanders on the Western Front between 1916 and 1919.

October 12, 1917 was named New Zealand’s blackest day in Flanders Fields, Belgium.

It is not only on Anzac Day that we need to reflect but also other poignant days such as October 12, and Armistice Day, November 11, when WW1 ended.

Never take for granted the life we live today, for the sacrifices that were made in the wars (by our ancestors) were for us.

In 1919, 100 years ago, the first Armistice Day service was held at Buckingham Palace. At that time, King George V was the reigning Monarch.

So, when you are passing by a war memorial over the next month or so, stop and think of all those brave service people.

Additionally, since rugby is a key topic at present, it is important to respect our New Zealand Army rugby teams of 1919. Wendy Baker

Nightcaps