Postcode Healthcare Affecting Suicide Rates

Regional New Zealand continues to suffer from a suicide rate comparatively higher than in cities – the government must take some of the blame for cutting health services, says New Zealand First

“Its investment approach and postcode healthcare system has left regional New Zealand with the barest minimum of mental health services,” says New Zealand First Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“Information from the coroner released to New Zealand First shows that 569 Kiwis committed suicide between June 2014 and May 2015. Forty-seven per cent were recorded as occurring outside the main city centres.

“Of real concern is that the rate of suicide in the regions was substantially higher than the main centres. Gisborne recorded a ratio of one in every 3700 residents committing suicide, and Hastings, one in every 4400 residents. Comparatively, the ratio in Auckland was one suicide for every 8500 Aucklanders.

“These figures are an indictment of the government’s ‘investment approach’ to social services, reflecting the impact of the closure of vital regional mental health services, including Relationship Aotearoa.”

ENDS

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