Suicide and deliberate self-harm

National Strategy: The New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy

Suicidal behaviour is preventable, and is a significant public health issue in New Zealand. It is a major source of morbidity and mortality, and a significant contributor to social, economic and health costs.

What's new Background and Relevant Strategies Agencies involved Key suicide prevention resources

What's New

On 18 March 2008 the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2008-2012 was launched. The plan provides detail about how the goals of the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006-2016 will be achieved over the next five years. The Action Plan describes the types of actions required across the range of sectors involved in suicide prevention

On 22 November 2007 Hon Jim Anderton released the Suicide Facts 2005-2006.

These reports provide detailed data on suicide mortality and hospitalisations for intentional self-harm. Copies of these reports are available on the Ministry of Health’s website.

Suicide Facts shows a slight increase in deaths, with 502 deaths in 2005, compared with 488 in 2004. Since 1996, there has been a 19% decrease in the rate of suicide. Males continue to have a higher suicide rate than females, with three male suicides for every one female suicide.

There were 5400 hospitalisations for intentional self-harm in 2006, which is a 7.5% increase since 2005. Females continue to have a higher hospitalisation rate than males in 2006, with two female admissions for every male admission.

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Background and Relevant Strategies

In June 2006, the New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006-2016 was released.  This national strategy provides a framework to guide New Zealand’s efforts over the next ten years to prevent suicide.  The overall purposes of the strategy are to:

  • Reduce the rate of suicide and suicidal behaviour
  • Reduce the harmful effect and impact associated with suicide and suicidal behaviour on families/whanau, friends and the wider community
  • Reduce inequalities in suicide and suicidal behaviour. 

An Action Plan for the strategy is currently being developed by the Ministry of Health.  This will set out in more detail how the Strategy will be implemented over the next five years, by whom and by when.  This is expected to be complete by the end of 2007.

Suicidal behaviour occurs on a continuum from thoughts and plans to attempts and death. Results from the Te Rau Hinengaro- The New Zealand Mental Health Survey, which was released in September 2006, show that lifetime prevalence’s for suicidal behaviours were: suicidal ideation, 15.7%; suicide plan, 5.5%; and suicide attempt, 4.5%.

Although New Zealand has a high rate of suicide by international standards, it has been trending downwards over the past few years. This is encouraging and gives some indication that the efforts made in the suicide prevention area have been useful. New Zealand now has a well developed programme of activities in a range of sectors across the country.

There are many factors that influence suicide prevention and therefore it requires comprehensive action, from promoting resiliency to crisis management and support. Suicide prevention involves government agencies, local government, community and iwi groups, service providers, schools, prisons, district health boards, and the media.

Relevant Strategies

The New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006-2016
New Zealand Health Strategy
He Korowai Oranga: Maori Health Strategy
New Zealand Disability Strategy
Primary Health Care Strategy
Reducing Inequalities work programme
National Drug Policy 20007 - 2012
Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa
Positive Ageing Strategy (PDF 504KB)
Health of Our Older People Strategy
Te Rito: The New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy (PDF 572KB)

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Agencies involved

There are many groups and organisations involved in suicide prevention through out New Zealand. There is an established Government inter-agency committee on suicide prevention, members include:

The Government inter-agency committee on suicide prevention reports to a Ministerial Committee on Suicide Prevention on the progress made under the Strategy and recommends future actions. The Ministerial Committee is led by Hon Jim Anderton and comprises seven Ministers who discuss the information presented by the inter-agency committee and approve policy initiatives to be progressed.

There are numerous non-government organisations involved in suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Some New Zealand websites with useful information and links include:

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Key suicide prevention resources

Additional publications and information about suicide prevention are available from the publications section of the Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand (SPINZ) website.

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