Suicide prevention high priority in NZ

Suicide prevention high priority in New Zealand for more than a decade

Media Release

12 August 2010

The Mental Health Foundation and Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand (SPINZ) recognise the importance of drawing attention to such a significant public health concern as suicide through the use of statistics. However, it is important for people to be aware that the information released today by the Chief Coroner is provisional as it is yet to be officially published by the Ministry of Health.

In 2008 the Ministry of Health released the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2008-2012. This plan outlines the goals, actions, milestones and considerations needed across the range of sectors involved in suicide prevention.

As per the plan, suicide prevention work in New Zealand is extensive and in many cases is entwined into other programmes such as those within the mental health and alcohol and drug sectors.

Substantial resources have been put into programmes directly aimed at various population groups around New Zealand. Examples of these include Kia Piki Te Ora who respond specifically to Maori suicide prevention and the lowdown website and travellers programme that target young people.

Other approaches are more general with one such campaign being the well known National Depression Initiative fronted by John Kirwan. This initiative includes teaching people about the symptoms of depression and how to manage those along with web and text follow up services allowing the user to have continual support.

Additional resources have also been put towards seven regional suicide prevention coordinators and a project to ensure those who have made a suicide attempt receive prompt care and follow up treatment

SPINZ is a non-government, national information service of the Mental Health Foundation and for over a decade has provided information and resources around safe and effective suicide prevention activities. The programme also works actively with both the general public and the media to ensure suicide prevention can be spoken about honestly and openly.

“We are continually working with reporters to ensure that not only do they have the most up to date statistics, but they are reporting in a responsible way. The challenge is to find a way to talk about the complexity of what contributes to suicide in a way that makes a good media piece without impacting negatively on vulnerable people,” Director of SPINZ Merryn Statham says.

ENDS