05/05/2026
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I Experienced something very traumatic last week (Trigger Warning: Depression/ su***de content).... i was a first responder to a young man who had taken his own life…He was an 18 year old, european who lived near me…an extremely sad situation...ive left out details bcus i understand how heavy, sensitive and triggering this topic is…The whanau expressed their full support in me posting something to help raise more awareness on this Taniwha…I feel so sorry for the family...us and the neighbours have been getting around the whanau during this time…
i had been finding it difficult to sleep and process everything...but over the last week ive recieved heaps of messages from First responders/ Ambulance/ fire fighters, Police etc, and people who have been through similar experiences - your advice has been EXTREMELY helpful this last week..
I also had alot of people ask me to share any advice or tips i recieve from first responders etc about trauma, to be clear im NO EXPERT & dont pretend to be, just sharing some advice i recieved that helped ME. so here were the main tips i found helpful in dealing with TRAUMA:
1. TALK. Dont bottle it in, get it out, talk to trusted, non judgemental people in your sphere.
2. ACKNOWLEDGE the very real impact of experiencing a traumatic event, and allow yourself to FEEL. and be patient with your feelings.
3. FLASHBACKS etc are a natural part of processing, triggering from smells, places, words etc are very real and best to be helped with professional therapy or help.
4. ALLOW your body & Cnervous system to recover…so REST is important.
5. Karakia, and Whakawātea, purea etc at the moana has been really helpful for me.
6. Utilize all the resources out there available, victim support, and theres a good website “Aoketera” which was good too.
7. SELF CARE: Do things that you enjoy doing, for me i went out diving and fishing which was really helpful.
8. SEEK PROFESSIONAL help.
Theres so much more help out there and everyone processes things differently and at different paces which MUST be respected.
In light of this and many other things, im going to be sharing my story again of going through depression and a suicidal point in my life 10 years ago bcus i know there is real power in sharing our story...as always doing it in the hope of helping people who maybe struggling letting them know they are not alone, and there is always hope..
Lastly…i want to encourage everyone to change the narrative…we always tell people who are struggling “Reach out bro, im here if you need me”, but the reality is - when your suffering from depression etc, reaching out is the LAST thing you feel like doing..its far more effective for us on the outside to REACH IN to those around, no matter wether they look happy or sad, because masking is part of the issue making it impossible at times to read any signs...so REACH IN to your mates…REACH IN to your happy mate, your sad mate, your successful mate, your rangatira mate, your poor mate, your quiet mate, your loud-life of the party mate, your “hes tha man” mate, your intelligent mate…reach out….REACH IN…much luv e te iwi❤️🙏🏾
COMMENTERS: BE KIND!!! Please keep your comments positive & constructive, its a heavy, sensitive topic, any negative, abusive comments will be deleted immediately! KIA ATAWHAI KI TE IWI KATOA. ❤️🙏🏾
