World Suicide Prevention Day

September 10th is the official UN World Suicide Prevention Day.

Unfortunately, New Zealand has one of the worst suicide rates in the Western World, with the figures increasing year-on-year.

After a sharp rise in recent years, the Government is stepping up its attempts to reduce the number of deaths, but there’s a long way to go.

The troubling statistics

In the year to June 30, 685 people took their own lives - 17 more than the previous year. 

In the year 2017 - 2018, the suicide rate was 13.67 deaths per 100,000 people. That's since increased to 13.93 in 2018 - 2019.

The youth suicide rate is also up, particularly in the 15 - 19 age range, with 20 more deaths by suicide than the year before. Eighty-four young New Zealanders between the ages of 10 and 19 died by suicide in the 2018 - 2019 period. Eleven of them were under the age of 15.

Ninety-one Kiwis aged 20 - 24 died by suicide, 15 more than the previous year.

There was also an increase in the suicide rate among Māori and Pacific people. The Māori suicide rate increased from 23.72 to 28.23 per 100,000 - there were 169 deaths in the 2018 - 2019 period, up from 142.

The Pacific suicide rate went from 7.77 to 11.49, from 23 to 34 deaths. 

Suicide affects everyone

Suicide destroys families. 

For both those who lose someone to suicide and those who have attempted themselves, the impact is profound. And often, these experiences overlap. 

For those who have felt the loss of a loved one to suicide, they have a higher risk of developing major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal behaviors themselves.

Project Semicolon

The semicolon tattoo was popularized by Amy Bleuel and is dedicated to the prevention of suicide through raising public awareness of depression and equipping communities and individuals with tools to promote mental health. 

Having struggled with depression, addiction, and difficult personal circumstances, particularly after being raped and her father died by suicide, Amy wanted something to commemorate her survival. 

In 2013, she founded the faith-based nonprofit Project Semicolon, which chose a semicolon as a symbol because it’s “used when an author could’ve chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life.” 

Where to find help and support

If you are having a difficult time, and find yourself needing to talk to someone, please use one of the following numbers:

Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737

Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland

Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat

Samaritans - 0800 726 666

Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757

Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

5 inspirational ideas for a great tiger tattoo

Everyone loves tigers.

Like seriously, everyone.

And not only are they cool as fuck, but they look great in a tattoo. In fact, just by their sheer awesomeness, it’s hard to make a tiger look uncool.

If you’re in love with our endangered feline friends, then a tattoo is a great way to show it.

We’ve found 5 different styles you can consider, and as always, credit goes to the original artists.

Photo realistic tiger tattoo

Ok, let’s start with the obvious point - this looks fucking amazing.

Photo-realistic tattoos have their advantages and disadvantages, but one of a beautiful tiger will almost certainly stand the test of time and be worth the many hours in the chair it will take to complete.

Traditional Tiger Tattoo

Tigers are an old favourite of the tattoo artist, and traditional tiger tattoos come in many forms. Even one sitting in a bowl of Ramen Noodles, like this one from our very own Tom Tom.

Japanese Tiger Tattoo

The Japanese have a wonderful fascination with tigers, even though they’re not native to the country. The closest is the Siberian Tiger across the water and hundreds of miles away, but that never stopped Japanese artists from depicting them every chance they got, which is why sometimes, they look a bit… funny.

The Eye of the Tiger

This tattoo is very popular along the forearm, but the one below take the black and white format and adds a little splash of colour with the eyes, resulting in something special.

Tiger cub tattoo

Oh my god look at him! Look how cute he is! Ahhhhhh!!!

Celebrate national dog day with a tattoo of man's best friend

We’re not making this up, National Dog Day is a real thing. 

The event aims to celebrate all breeds, pure and mixed and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, either from public shelters, rescues and pure breed rescues. 

National Dog Day honors family dogs and dogs that work selflessly to save lives, keep us safe and bring comfort. 

Dogs put their lives on the line every day - for their law enforcement partner, for their blind companion, for the disabled, for our freedom and safety by detecting bombs and pulling victims of tragedy from wreckage.

Celebrate your best friend and the unconditional love they bring with a tattoo!

Traditional Style Dog Tattoo

For the purists out there, a traditional style tattoo will fit nicely with the rest of your collection.

Minimalist style

Perfect for someone who wants something small to remind them of their wee friend!

Photo-realistic dog tattoo

This gorgeous tattoo is of a wee French bulldog… we think. Or it might just be a pug. Who cares, it’s amazing.

Painting style

This stunning tattoo not only captures the soul of the dog, but looks incredible.

Modern abstract design

A bit of colour can make all the difference, and this one really makes the eyes pop!

In memoriam

Anyone who’s lost a dog knows a piece of you dies too. These paw prints are a great way to remember man’s best friend.

It's that time of year again! The NZ Tattoo & Arts festival is back!

It’s that time of year again! The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest tattoo event is back!

Featuring over 300 of the world’s best artists, the NZ Tattoo & Art Festival, will be held in New Plymouth in November, with Live music from Deadbeat & Bleeders, FMX & BMX shows, live performances, art & much more. 

This year’s festival will be held on the weekend of 23rd-24th November 2019 at the TSB Stadium.

AND AS USUAL THE SUNSET FAMILY WILL BE THERE!

We will all be heading down to New Plymouth again this year to join in the fun.

If you would like to get in with one of our artists or special guests you can contact us or message them directly ! @habbytattoo @adrian_hing_tattoo @capillitupou @manawa_tapu @luckyfelixtattoo @milky.tattoo @rogermoore_tattoo

You can get tattooed at the festival by either pre-booking an appointment via email/message or get a walk up booking.

Appointments are to be booked directly with the artists, make sure you include plenty of information in your email/message about what you want tattooed, size of tattoo, where on the body etc.

A large number of artists will be doing walk up tattoo appointments all weekend long. Tickets will go on sale soon and can be purchased from www.ticketek.co.nz or at the Ticketek box at the gate during the festival weekend.

And remember, the NZ Tattoo & Art Festival is a family friendly event, so bring the kids along! Alongside tattooing there is FMX & BMX shows plus a dedicated kid zone area. Kids 14 & under get in free when accompanied by a paying adult.

This is the 9th year of the Festival, and it’s only getting bigger each year! Come along for the fun and maybe grab yourself a tattoo while you’re there!

Racism affects one of the Sunset Family

Yesterday one of our tattoo family members decided enough was enough and spoke out about the regular racism he has to endure to get through Australian airports.

If you know @capillitupou , you know he is a person who likes to put his head down and get on with things, and isn’t used to publicly voicing anything personal or political.

So to do this was a hard thing for him.

We decided we would stand with him in solidarity and support him and his message of his experiences. Since posting his anger at his treatment, he has had literally hundreds of other Māori and people of Pacific Island descent come forward to him to say that they have had the same type of racist treatment when visiting or leaving Australia.

Change doesn’t happen unless people speak up and we just want to support every word he has said.

Here is Capilli’s statement in full:

I’m really sorry about this but I will be canceling my upcoming trip to Sydney.

Yesterday when I was travelling home from Australia I was stopped by Police at the airport. When I asked them why, they said I fit "a profile", I asked what the profile was and they said "Pacific Islander with tattoos". This is not the first time this has happened, and I knew the "profile" was just an excuse - shortly afterwards the same police officers questioned a women wearing a headscarf.

Over the years I have travelled a lot and this same or similar situation has happened several times in Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales. It hasn't happened to me in other countries, or other airports, not LAX, not Heathrow, only in Australia.

The racism and racial profiling is disgusting and makes me feel less than. I have endured so much of it in Australia and yesterday was the final straw.

I have made the decision that I won't be returning to Australia for the time being - I feel unwelcome, and I'm not going to put myself through it anymore.

I know it's not all Australian's, I have so many best friends that are Australian, but arriving and departing is just too much, it's not nice and I'm worn down by it.

I'm sad about this decision, but I feel strongly about it and need to take a stand.

I am proud to be Samoan and Māori.

I hope to be able to return to Australia one day in the future, but in the meantime you're welcome to come and visit me in Aotearoa New Zealand.

#GiveNothingToRacism

Capilli is one of the best tattoo artists out there and one of the nicest guys you’re ever likely to meet. If you would like to book in with him for a stunning tattoo, then contact us today.