The suicide rate in the Top of the South has climbed by 20 per cent in the past year despite the national rate falling to its lowest in three years.
Between 1 July 2019 and 30 June 2020, 24 people committed suicide in the Top of the South – the highest number in five years.
The annual provisional figures, released today by Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall, showed that nationally 654 people died by suicide, compared with 685 the year before.
“While it is encouraging to see the suspected suicide rate and number drop for the past year, it’s important to remember that there are still more than 650 families who have lost someone in tragic circumstances,” Judge Marshall says.
The deaths are broken down by District Health Board regions, including off-shore deaths.
Of the 21 regions, Nelson Marlborough District Health Board was one of eight that saw an increase in deaths by suicide.
Nationally, there was a decrease in the number of young people dying by suspected suicide, particularly in the 15-19 age range (down from 73 to 59) and the 20-24 age range (down from 91 to 60).
Nelson Marlborough Health's general manager of mental health and addictions services, Jane Kinsey, says it's important that we make any door the right door for people when they need help.
"It is important to support people to get the help they need and for them to get help early before distress becomes unbearable."
She says health professionals can access specialist mental health services or crisis services very quickly. This includes GPs, nurses, midwives, iwi health providers, counsellors and pharmacists – they can connect people quickly to a service or support.
Our police, schools, social workers, community agencies and non-government agencies can help someone get the help they need. Help is also available if you are worried about a friend or relative.
Suicide Mortality Review Committee Dr Sarah Fortune welcomes the lower numbers reported this year and commends the multisectoral collaboration outlined in the national suicide prevention strategy, which she says will be critical to sustaining ongoing reductions in suicide in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
She cautions against comparing regions’ deaths.
'Due to the relatively small size of our country, and how the population is distributed within regions, it is difficult to compare deaths between districts, particularly given the way the borders of those regions may be defined.'
Director of the Suicide Prevention Office, Carla na Nagara focussing on suicide numbers will not help us to prevent suicide in New Zealand, and speculating about them can have the opposite effect.
“We need to look behind the numbers to understand what is contributing to our suicide rate, and to the different rates within different population groups. We then need to address those issues. Until we do that as a country, there will not be any enduring impact on what is a shamefully high suicide rate in New Zealand.
“Preventing suicide requires an all-of-society effort from everyone. We all impact one another’s wellbeing – this includes friends, family members, employers, colleagues, sports clubs, social clubs, NGOs and Government departments, as well as health and mental health services. We all have a part to play in preventing people from becoming so distressed that they see suicide as their only option.
“Strong, healthy, connected whānau, families and communities are the most important protective factors against suicide. The focus for suicide prevention should rest with communities, with whānau, with community leadership and with community services, supported in a sustainable manner by local and central government.
“No matter what the stress is - and I acknowledge there is significant pressure in many of our communities at this time - if our mental wellbeing is strong, we can cope better with problems and uncertainty in our lives “Every single one of us has a role to play in suicide prevention. It’s up to all of us.
“We all need to take practical, proactive steps to look after our mental wellbeing - practicing helpful techniques and accessing support when we need it. “Each of us has the ability to reach out to someone who might not be coping. The simple act of asking someone if they are ok can be enough to connect with them and provide hope."
Annual deaths by suicide for the NMDHB (July-June):
15/16 - 24
16/17 - 17
17/18 - 12
18/19 - 20
19/20 - 24
It’s ok to ask for help: Patua te taniwha te whakamā
Options for people in the Nelson Marlborough region
In an emergency:
Phone 111
1737:
Free phone or text 1737 to reach a counsellor
Healthline:
Free phone Healthline to talk to a nurse 0800 611 116
Talk to your GP:
Contact your own GP or practice nurse
After-hours GPs:
· Nelson: 03 546 8881
· Marlborough: 03 520 6377
· Motueka: 03 528 8866 or 03 528 8358
· Golden Bay: 03 525 0060
· Murchison: 03 523 1120
In an emergency:
Phone 111
Free helplines available
Depression: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865
Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234
talk@youthline.co.nz
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Women’s Refuge: 0800 733 843
Family Violence: 0800 456 450
Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787 797
Meth Help: 0800 METH HELP (0800 6384 4357)
Sexuality issues: 0800 688 5463
Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 655 or text 8006
The Lowdown (for youth): team@thelowdown.co.nz or text 5626
Children’s Welfare Oranga Tamariki: 0508 326 459
