Transcript
MAPA PULOKA: There is a growing problem of mental health issue in this country. Big problem. And also suicide is part of it because our rate of suicide, I'm talking about complete suicide, used to be something about .3 per 100,000 of the population. But now it is around 7 - 8 per 100,000 of the population. I understand there's still a controversial issue regarding attempted suicide in this country because it is illegal. But we cooperate very well with the magistrate or the supreme court regarding someone who has attempted suicide. They are very lenient and they always make sure that the punishment is for treatment. Not the actual charge them - of course the police do that. Once they come to the magistrate they refer them to us, Mental Health. That's how we do it.
INDIRA STEWART: What do you think about the Act?
MP: There are people who try to decriminalise it, I mean to make sure that attempted suicide is not a crime. But I'm not really support that. The main reason there is because I want the Act to remain as it is to deter people not to do that. Once someone is charged with attempted suicide we usually intervene and we ask that court to send the person to us, the Psychiatric unit, for examination. And then usually what we do, the magistrate will allow us to continue on with the counselling and the treatment. Once you decriminalise it, people won't come back for counselling and treatment. But still if you still remain as a crime, you have to force people to come to us for counselling and also treatment.
IS: Is there perhaps a more effective way of providing mental health support in the community for those who are suicidal before they attempt to commit suicide and get charged, and then are put into a position where they must get the counselling?
MP: Yes, that's why we do have this organisation. It is known now as 'Suicide Prevention Tonga'. But still, they need more support. They need more funds. Suicide doesn't have any special budget from the government and since the rate of suicide is still lower than the world average - and again the world average of suicide is 12.5 or 13 person per 100,000 of any population, but Tonga is around 8 - since we are lower than that, it is really not a priority regarding budget.
IS: Do you think that enforcing the law, like, police making more and more charges and arrests for attempted suicide, do you think that so far that's been effective as far as acting as a deterrent?
MP: Well, there's no research on that too but I do know, I do know, in a way it has that effect. But that's just my assumption. But if suicide is becoming to me - if the awareness increased, there may be a time in the future where we can decriminalise sucide attempts.
