New Zealand Police are not sufficiently nor adequately trained in dealing with people who suffer from mental health issues or distress. Their e-learning modules are not effective in educating their staff on how to treat someone in a crisis, particularly when involving suicide. Sign this petition to call upon the Ministry of Health, Jacinda Ardern and the New Zealand Police to take action by revising the NZ Police training modules and by fully retraining their staff to aid in the reduction of suicide in New Zealand and to help put an end to the increasing Mental Health Crisis we are facing.

Every day, NZ Police have over 90 phone calls regarding people experiencing mental distress. That averages to 274 hours a day of Police time nation wide. There are too many cries for help going unanswered, disregarded or not being taken seriously enough. This is not enough nor is it acceptable any longer. The statistics on suicide in New Zealand alone are not only atrocious, but are simply heartbreaking. Kiwis with mental health problems need to be treated humanely. We are people. We are not just statistics and facts or figures that can be fixed with inadequate modules. More needs to be done and it needs to be done now.

1 out of every 6 Kiwi adults have been diagnosed at least once in their lifetime with depression, anxiety or bipolar disorders. Although that figure is staggering already, it does not account for our teenagers or children. Nor does it include other mental health disorders and illnesses such as OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, autism and so much more.

It could be you. It could be your son, your daughter. It could be your whanau. It is and has been me. Please sign the petition to make as much of a difference as possible. If we win, hundreds of lives could be saved and thousands of people can be helped. If we lose, the suicide statistics and ill mental health rates will only rise.

Kia Kaha, we are stronger together.