"The link between unresolved trauma and suicide is there," John Henden, who has been brought to Dunedin by the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust to stage a two-day workshop next week, said.
"We help to help people move through and beyond the trauma and carry on after and live a better life by spotting these issues; to do so will lower the suicide risk."
Mr Henden has trained mental health services staff, community welfare workers, support workers, telephone helpline staff and volunteers.
He said there were three reasons why professionals steered clear of trauma recovery work: fear of saying something that might make a person worse, fear of vicarious traumatising, and the mistaken belief that there were experts elsewhere better equipped to do that work.
"We need to deal better with the effects of trauma," he said.
"New Zealand is top of the league table for suicide among the 15-25 age group and successful resolution of trauma experiences can reduce the suicide rate markedly, in my view."
Mr Henden was familiar with the recent mental health inquiry and government response, and said the zero suicide rate approach adopted by the Government was something to aspire to.
"My organisation is part of the worldwide zero suicide movement, which says there is no such thing as the inevitability of suicide," he said.
"All suicides are preventable with good services ... zero suicide is both achievable and realistic if you train workers to spot the important signs so they can take the right actions."
Mr Henden's workshop will be held on July 29 and 30.
Need help?
Need to talk? 1737, free 24/7 four digit phone and text number
Healthline: 0800 611-116
Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Samaritans: 0800 726-666
General mental health inquiries: 0800 443-366
The Depression Helpline: 0800 111-757
Youthline: 0800 376-633, txt 234 or talk@youthline.co.nz
