Studying teen suicide
Nothing could have prepared Joanne* for the emptiness and guilt that came after a close friend took his own life at 17.
But it seemed insignificant compared to what she saw in his parents’ eyes.
‘‘They went through a range of emotions, from a really deep sadness to worrying about the other siblings.’’
And then came the blame.
‘‘They kept thinking about what they could have done better to save him. They kept questioning their own role.’’
Researcher Clare Stanton says cases like these point to a gaping hole in society’s understanding of the support parents need in such a situation.
‘‘It is a very complex issue and there is very little we know about helping parents of teenagers who have suicidal behaviour or have died by suicide.
‘‘Off the top of my head I can think of two relevant studies in New Zealand, one has looked at only eight families and another one is with a small number of Maori families.’’
The PhD student, who is writing a thesis on parents and suicide risk, is currently on placement at Waitakere Hospital. Stanton is looking for west self Auckland participants for her research.
‘‘The data we have is limited to begin with, and the fathers’ voices are not heard that much.
‘‘In New Zealand we really don’t know as much as we should about the support process,’’ she adds
According to an OECD report New Zealand has the highest rate of teen suicide. Provisional statistics released by the chief coroner show a total of 579 Kiwis committed suicide between 2015 and 2016, the highest number in the eight years that the figures have been published.
Stanton says she has had interest from all over the country for her research, but is yet to find participants from west Auckland.
‘‘I would imagine there is a high teenage population in west Auckland. This study is about caring parents who have been through this experience and really want to help others.’’
If you would like to participate in the study please contact her via email csta064@aucklanduni.ac.nz or on 021 233 8726.
*If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide please call Lifeline on 09 522 2999.