At the local library I picked up publications produced by the MINISTRY OF HEALTH and the MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION OF NEW ZEALAND.

The names of the brochures are:  “Coping with financial stress”, “Having suicidal thoughts?”, “Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand”, Postnatal Depression, “Retirement”, and “Anxiety and how to handle it”.

People with financial stress are pointed to Helplines ( Depression helpline, Lifeline, Healthline, Family Violence Information Line ) and Money and budget advice services  ( Budgeting services, Sorted, Citizens Advice Bureaux).

Those with suicidal thoughts are pointed to information about suicide risk ( www.spinz.org.nz; www.headspace.org.nz ) and they are told where general support advice can be found ( www.youthline.co.nz; www.depression.org.nz). Those with Postnatal Depression are pointed to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand where they can purchase or loan books and videos on depression.

In the Bible we read that John  is pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 1:29 we read:

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'”