Dave Jaques, an Auckland lawyer and co-founder of the Suicide Reduction Trust (SRT), took a drastic step to highlight the lack of suicide prevention efforts in New Zealand. Instead of hanging himself by the neck, he suspended himself in a full-body climbing harness.
His intention was to draw attention to this pressing issue, driven by his frustration with mainstream media's lack of engagement.
Jaques explained that despite SRT's comprehensive tools aimed at providing coping mechanisms to individuals before they reach crisis points, most mainstream media outlets had declined to run their paid advertisements. This refusal contributed to low awareness levels about initiatives like their inaugural Super Raffle.
By taking this action, Jaques aimed to spark awareness and encourage all New Zealanders to support efforts to address this critical issue. He emphasized the importance of community involvement in suicide prevention, stating, "It takes a village to raise a child, a community to keep them safe, and collective effort across Aotearoa to reduce suicide."
Jaques' unconventional demonstration underscores the urgency of improving public awareness and support for suicide prevention initiatives in New Zealand. His hope is that through heightened awareness and community participation, significant strides can be made towards reducing suicide rates across the country.
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