Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Rise in suicides reaffirms need for system-wide change

Rise in suicide figures reaffirms need for system-wide change

The Government must act quickly and decisively to address New Zealand’s growing suicide crisis, the PSA says.

The Chief Coroner, Judge Deborah Marshall, has released the annual provisional suicide statistics, showing 668 people died by suicide in the year ending 30 June 2018.

This is the highest rate per 100,000 population in the past decade.

"These disturbing figures are more evidence of the vital need for the nation-wide Mental Health Inquiry," PSA National Secretary Erin Polaczuk says.

"The Inquiry panel will make recommendations to the Government later this year.

"The Inquiry must deliver a way forward to address this ongoing crisis - and the Government must listen and act quickly."

Ms Polaczuk says today’s figures prove there is much to do, to prevent more tragic loss of life.

"The stories that have surfaced throughout the Inquiry prove this discussion has been deep, painful and long overdue.

"PSA members contributed to the Inquiry - as people who work in mental health and addictions services, but also as ordinary Kiwis who have experienced these issues or supported whanau.

"As the union for mental health, we know those working within the system are doing their best amid challenging circumstances.

"We need well-resourced mental health and services, particularly targeting at-risk groups like Maori men.

"But we also need social services in place that will enable people to seek help at an early stage - and that will address the socio-economic factors that contribute to suicidal behaviour."

ENDS


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.