Mission to stop suicide

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 27 December 2015, 12:00AM

Fa’ataua le Ola is not just talking about stopping suicide. It is walking the talk by taking its awareness programmes to the grassroots level.

Last week, the organization joined forces with ETV Production to raise awareness about efforts being made to free Samoa from the wrath of suicide. The mission involved visiting several villages in Savai’i and talking to them about the issue. Part of their Road Show was the screening of a movie called “Ufi le tama ua Gase.”

Directed and produced by filmmaker, Toepo Eliza Tiava’asu’e-Hunt, the film takes a serious look at suicide and some of the factors driving it in Samoa. Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, Toepo said the timing of the Road Show couldn’t have been better. While the mood is generally festive, this easily masks the sad reality confronting some people when it comes to the issue of depression.

Combined with alcohol consumption, which often accompanies the festive season, this is a time when people are particularly vulnerable, she said.  Another movie shown to the villages was “E lelei le Alii or God is Good.” Toepo said the movie was about the physical abuse of women and children.  Their message out to the community is to respect their lives and stop domestic Violence. 

The road show covered Pu’apu’a, Fagamalo and Sasina. The Road Shows will continue.

 

By Pai Mulitalo Ale 27 December 2015, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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