Media release from Ministry of Health

Talking about feelings and asking for help - vital for young people at risk

Talking about how you are feeling and asking for help are the key messages for young people at risk of suicide, the Ministry of Health said today in releasing the latest national figures on suicide.

In 2008 there were on average nearly 47 people a week admitted to hospital as a result of self harm or a suicide attempt and nine deaths a week.  That's down by nearly a quarter from the toll ten years before but it remains too high.

Most serious is the toll on the nation's young people.

The rate for young women (15-24 years of age) is the highest in the group of OECD countries.  Director of Mental Health Dr David Chaplow says:

"This tragedy is a concern to us all in society."

"We must not forget that each individual's death represents a huge loss to their family, friends and the community.

At a national level, we know the numbers are relatively small, the numbers fluctuate year on year so the rate makes alarming shifts - appearing to halve at one point and then double the next.   

"It makes sense for us to keep an eye on trends, which may give more useful information in determining what additional response or change is required rather than seeking substance in shadows.   "

The toll remains high for young men - their rate is three times the level of young women.

In some countries the level of proof required for a coroner to determine that a death is a suicide can be higher than that in New Zealand, resulting in a greater number of findings of accidental or undetermined deaths.  This can make international comparisons misleading.

"All of us, in every walk of life, play a role in keeping ourselves healthy and being concerned for others.  That role extends to looking after our families, our workmates and our neighbours."

"We are all affected most strongly by young people attempting or completing suicide.  Teenagers and young adults can take to heart issues that prompt attempts or suicide - and we know that with the counsel of years they would likely have bounced back to live productive lives.  It is for these reasons a variety of programmes are targeted at younger people"

"It's pleasing to see the downward trend in Maori suicide - the current rate of 13.3 per 100,000 people is the lowest since 1996, but it's still a third higher than for the general population of 10.6 per 100,000."

There are a number of services provided for young people to ensure they can get the help they need when they ask for it.  These services include Lifeline, Youthline, the National Depression Initiative and the Lowdown - a website specifically for young people to help manage depression.

There are a number of initiatives to address depression in young people, the condition which puts people most at risk.

Some of those initiatives are:
School suicide prevention guidelines - being reviewed and updated
School based programmes including programmes for children at risk and other programmes to build resilience and mental health (Travellers; Safe School teams; and school nursing services)
E therapy - using software to help young people better manage depression - currently being trialled
Greater investigation into deaths and causes with recommendations to address them through the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee
Additional research into suicide and its causes.