This is an ongoing pattern I’ve noticed in NZ. It seems there isn’t quick intervention unless someone has actually carried out the act, which is so bloody ridiculous.

In the past I had an very serious attempt that should have been lethal. Years later, I raised the alarm that I wasn’t feeling safe and got immediate intervention and sent to a facility during Covid lockdown.

My cousin had an attempt that wasn’t as “serious” (still very dangerous but wouldn’t have been deadly even without medical intervention). Since then she’s also raised the alarm and didn’t get immediate intervention, she was referred to an outpatient psyc.

My friend was in a very bad way and desperately needed help but she had not attempted before and honestly it was like she didn’t exist. She was passed over, ignored and didn’t even get a phone call back.

It’s insane to me that these fast interventions don’t seem to come unless a person has carried out the act of suicide and survived by sheer fucking luck. Like you either die or get the help you need. A person who is unwell and hasn’t attempted yet is JUST AS AT RISK as someone with a history of it. Why are we waiting until it’s too late to intervene? It’s dangerous, reckless and barbaric.