Rate bucks trend but still high

The number of suicides in Taranaki is at a 10-year low but health advocates are warning against calling the decrease a trend.

Provisional figures released by Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall show 11 people in the region died by suicide between July 2017 and the end of June 2018.

This is the same as in 2015/16 – the lowest in the last 10 years, down from a high of 20 in 2010/11 and 19 in 2014/15. In the last 10 years 172 deaths in Taranaki have been ruled suicides.

Mental health has been in focus in New Zealand this past week after the death of television journalist Greg Boyed, who had been suffering from depression.

Nationally, the provisional figures show 668 people died by suicide in the 2017/18 year. New Zealand’s suicide rate – the number of suicides per 100,000 population – is at the highest level since the provisional statistics were first recorded for the 2007/08 year and has increased for the fourth year in a row. Taranaki is bucking the trend, but only just.

New Zealand’s representative to the International Association of Suicide Prevention, Sylvia Huitson, from New Plymouth, said the figures were only provisional. ‘‘We can’t say it is trending down. We can’t take our foot off the gas. There are still serious issues to be addressed. A lot of work being done, but it is not really producing the results we want.’’

Nationally it was a really concerning trend, she said. ‘‘We’re doing a lot about it. We’re doing all this work and it’s still going up.’’

It was also concerning that the number of women taking their lives was going up, she said.

Nationally female suicides have increased by 44 per cent compared to last year, while male suicides increased by 18.

Taranaki Young Farmers chairman Matthew Herbert said one suicide was too many. ‘‘You can’t get complacent with mental health. I think that the whole rural community has really pulled together in the last couple of years. Last year it was a wet spring and dry summer and drought, which was challenging for farmers.

‘‘The key is to let people know they are not alone; other people are struggling with the same things they are. The aim of everything we do is to get people in isolated jobs off the farm and socialising.’’

Where to get help:

1737, Need to talk? Free call or text

1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or (09)

5222 999 within Auckland Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat

Samaritans – 0800 726 666 Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828

865 (0508 TAUTOKO) What’s Up – 0800 942 8787 (for

5–18 year olds). Phone counselling is available Monday to Friday, midday–11pm and weekends,

3pm–11pm. Online chat is available

7pm–10pm daily.

Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline) for young people up to 18 years of age. Open 24/7. thelowdown.co.nz – or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626

Anxiety New Zealand – 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389) Supporting Families in Mental Illness – 0800 732 825. Alcoholics Anonymous – 0800 AA WORKS, or aa.org.nz.

If it is an emergency or you, or someone you know, is at risk call 111.