Our heartbreaking suicide problem
The number of people taking their own lives has dropped in the wider Manawatu region, despite a nationwide increase.
New Zealand’s annual provisional suicide statistics, released on Tuesday, showed the country’s suicide toll for the past year was the worst since the Coroner’s Office began keeping records in 2008.
Some 579 people committed suicide in the 2015/16 financial year – 15 more people than the previous year. Although the number of deaths is at an alltime high, the rate of suicides per 100,000 people is slightly below the rate in 2010/11.
However, the suicide statistics for the MidCentral District Health Board region has bucked the trend, decreasing over the past three years.
The figures spiked at 41 in 2013/14, then dropped to 27 in 2014/15. They have since decreased further, to 22 people, in 2015/16.
Highbury Whanau Centre psychologist Alicia Moxon said the drop in suicides showed preventative strategies and action plans were working in the region.
While there were many mental health services available to people in Palmerston North, they were under strain, she said.
Moxton said she began notic- ing an increase in 19-22 year olds using the centre for mental health support starting about mid-way through 2015.
As students often struggled to manage their studies, workload, finances, part-time work and commitments, the stress and pressure could act as a trigger for mental health problems.
Many of the young people she saw were dealing with stress, anxiety and depression.
She said the suicide statistics for women, students and young people in New Zealand were particularly concerning.
The national female suicide rate is the highest on record, with 170 women taking their own lives during the past year.
Moxton said more education, suicide prevention campaigns, and strong television campaigns were needed.
The provisional statistics show55 students in New Zealand committed suicide in the past year – the highest student suicide toll since records began. The number had gradually increased over the past 10 years.
Massey University Students’ Association advocacy coordinator and social worker Kerry Howe said the toll was shocking. ’’One is heartbreaking to me, so 55 – that’s really, really heartbreaking.’’