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NZ records highest number of suicides in eight years

Author
Alex Mason, Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 18 Oct 2016, 12:04PM
579 New Zealanders died by suicide in the 2015/2016 year (Photo / File)
579 New Zealanders died by suicide in the 2015/2016 year (Photo / File)

NZ records highest number of suicides in eight years

Author
Alex Mason, Newstalk ZB staff,
Publish Date
Tue, 18 Oct 2016, 12:04PM

UPDATED 3.26pm 579 New Zealanders died by suicide in the 2015/16 year - the highest number of suicide deaths since the statistics were first recorded eight years ago.

The Chief Coroner has just released annual provisional statistics, which show an increase from the previous highest total of 564 suicide deaths last year.

But the suicide rate per head of population remains just lower than five years ago, meaning the rate of people dying by suicide has remained consistent.

The Chief Coroner, Judge Deborah Marshall, said New Zealand still has a long way to go in turning around our unacceptably high number of suicide deaths.

She said there needed to be more discussion around suicide prevention with family, friends and colleagues getting advice on how to spot those at risk and how to get professional help.

"Everyone should recognise the importance of taking suicidal thoughts seriously and knowing where to get help," she said.

Canterbury had the highest number of any District Health Board in the country with 78 deaths in the year to June. That's 23 more than the second highest tally in the Waikato.

Greymouth's Tracy Stark said she knew almost every one of the 10 people who committed suicide in the last year on the Coast.

She said the rising number of suicides is heartbreaking.

"One person is known by so many. There are very little over here, so one death affects family, friends, people that went to school with - everybody. People they don't know they actually affect."

Mental Health Foundation boss Shaun Robinson said people need the information and skills to feel confident speaking up when they're worried about someone - whether that be a family member, friend, colleague or team mate.

He said our communities need to ask how things are going, engage with whatever distress someone may be experiencing, and be confident in knowing how to guide them to support.

Robinson said that confidence works both ways - with those in distress needing to feel they'll be supported if they reach out.

Are you affected by an issue in this article? Here's where to get help:

Lifeline - 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. Text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email [email protected].

0800 WHATSUP (0800 9428 787), Open between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.

Healthline - 0800 611 116
For more information about support and services available to you, contact the Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service on 09 623 4812 during office hours or email [email protected]

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

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