By Kim Meredith
Heilala Malu, the Tongan Framework for Suicide Prevention, was launched in May 2017. Photo: RNZ/ Sela Jane Aholelei
After losing three male family members to suicide, a Pacific academic researcher wants young men to speak out when they feel that life is not worth living.
St Paul's College counsellor Shahrane'e Fa'avae, who is undertaking her Master's research, wants to talanoa (speak) with young Pacific men aged 16-25 years of age who have attempted or thought about taking their life.
"I think their voices and their experiences are the key to lowering our suicide rates and helping our young Pasifika realise their value in this world."
The mother of six said after carrying the loss of her 14-year-old brother - who committed suicide more than three decades ago - and then later a cousin, and more recently a nephew, it was time for action.
She hoped her research would stop Pacific people from continuing to suffer in silence.
"I felt I needed to do something, anything to help find ways for our young men to speak up and speak out when they feel like life isn't worth living."
Youth suicide rates for Pacific men sit at 19.4 percent per 100,000, second only to Māori.
Fa'avae said there were a number of excellent suicide prevention programmes in the community but identified two main barriers; the lack of Pacific counsellors who were accessible and available for young Pacific people and the absence of effective education on the importance of seeking professional help when life became stressful and overwhelming.
"Our people are still suffering in silence, hiding their pain and burdens to avoid shame."
Fa'avae said her role as a school counsellor allowed her to connect with young men, provide a space for them to open up and share about the experiences of what they were going through, which helped to break down barriers of vulnerability and feelings of shame.
"I understand how difficult it is for people to share their darkest moments with someone, but it is my hope that I can provide a safe space where they are able to share their journey through those moments, what led them there, but most importantly, what led them out so that we can help our current and future generations of young Pasifika men."
TYLA Trust works with at-risk tamariki and rangatahi aged from eight to 18 to help make positive choices and receives part of its programme funding from Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Manurewa Local Boards.
TYLA Trust co-general manager Anastasia Meredith, based at its Ōtara branch, said teaching young people about resilience was a crucial skill for youth.
"Realistically, a lot of young men still need support until they're at least in their mid-twenties, there is so much they're having to navigate and negotiate."
Building up networks to provide support within their own communities was important during times of crisis.
"We try to make sure there's at least one person they can be vulnerable with amongst their friends when things aren't going well," Meredith said.
She said sadly many still accepted the old adage of "boys don't cry" and the shame of talking about mental health only added further anxiety and at times had dire consequences.
"We've had youth who haven't been able to come back from relationship breakups and have taken their own lives."
Meredith said Fa'avae's work was important for her sector, especially with the difficulty youth faced to access the available services.
Fa'avae acknowledged her research supervisor Dr Sarah Kapeli at the University of Auckland for her guidance and support, given the potential for the work to benefit across the health, social services and education sectors.
Te Whatu Ora was approached for comment on how it is aiming to improve mental health awareness messaging to the Pacific community but had not responded by the time this article was published.
Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
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