Barbara Stewart MP

Spokesperson for Health
12 SEPTEMBER 2016

National Must Get Serious on Suicide Prevention

The government needs to front up on suicide prevention and fund critical support services like Lifeline, in light of New Zealand’s high suicide rates, says New Zealand First.

“It is no good for Health Minister Jonathan Coleman to issue soundbites about World Suicide Prevention Day when his government’s parsimony has Lifeline fighting for its very life,” says Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“Lifeline joins Youthline which earlier this year faced a crisis over funding.

“Communities like the West Coast are demanding more action to prevent the epidemic of suicide, not less.

“In June, Lifeline announced they only have enough funding to survive for one more year. Desperate pleas to the government have gone unheeded.

“New Zealand’s high suicide rates are a national emergency. Last year, a record 564 kiwis committed suicide. The government needs to act now.

“These shameful suicide numbers demand that sufficient funding be assigned to critical support services,” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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