Suicide shame continues

Parents of a Midcentral Health mental health service patient who died in 2014 are dismayed by the district’s growing suicide rate, part of the record 685 deaths by suicide in the past year nationally.

Provisional figures released by Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall show 37 people in the Midcentral Health district died by suicide in the 2018-19 year.

Carey and Owen Hume, whose daughter Erica’s death was one that prompted recognition of the need for an overhaul of Palmerston North Hospital’s ward 21, said the local numbers were growing since a low of 22 four years ago.

‘‘As parents, these latest statistics are soul-destroying and disappointing. Unfortunately, we have to also say, not surprising.’’

The Humes have been strong advocates for a new mental health ward for Palmerston North, after the existing one was recognised as more of a barrier than an aid to recovery, after investigations into Erica’s death.

That new ward is still awaiting approval for spending.

They were also participants in the Mental Health Inquiry and are still waiting for its recommendations to be realised.

‘‘We have to ensure that there is a solid system in place, that

when people reach out for help, it is there,’’ Carey Hume said.

‘‘When people reach out for help, that help has to be there immediately.’’

She said it was not good enough to let people walk out of an emergency department without waiting to be seen.

Australasian College for Emergency Medicine presidentelect John Bonning said the latest suicide data was a ‘‘tragic and sobering reality check’’, and much of the distress was playing out in New Zealand’s emergency rooms.

He said some mental health patients faced unacceptable waits of up to 24 to 48 hours at emergency departments, suffering more than other groups of patients.

‘‘Suicide rates are the tip of the iceberg in terms of mental health and we have increasing numbers of people presenting in EDS in mental health crisis.’’

He said between 2 and 20 per cent of emergency department presentations related to mental distress.

He estimated for every suicide, there were half a dozen cases of overdose or self-harm

‘‘We see the worst of what can happen to people at their most traumatised and saddest times.

‘‘Emergency departments around the country have become the default mental health service, in particular out of office hours.’’,

Bonning said hospital staff wanted to see those patients, whose needs were as acute as a patient with a broken leg.

But waiting in an emergency room could add to their distress and that of other patients.

Bonning said hospitals needed to find ways to achieve shorter stays in emergency departments, but some of the answers lay outside.

Primary services needed to work extended hours to provide an alternative place to go, and safe respite and rehabilitation options also needed development.

‘‘When people reach out for help, that help has to be there immediately.’’ Carey Hume Erica’s Mum

Recent figures from Midcentral Health show about one in 10 patients who present at its emergency department get sick of waiting and leave, many without any follow up.

The board did not have a response prepared for the signalled release of the national and regional suicide figures.