Kiwis ‘must pull together’

Health Minister says suicide an issue for whole of NZ to tackle, not just the Government

Kiwis must pull together to address an appalling suicide rate that could be partly caused by pressures that come with social media, Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says.

“We have got to do a lot better — 579 suicides in New Zealand last year. We want to see that number come down,” Coleman said yesterday.

“We have got to do things differently . . . we have certainly got to strive to do better. It’s not just a health issue, it is across education, MSD [the Ministry of Social Development], the whole of society — not just a government problem. It is an issue for families, for schools, sports clubs. It needs a whole of society response.”

Coleman made his comments at Parliament as the Herald highlights the issue of youth suicide in a special series called Break the Silence.

New Zealand ranks second worst in the developed world for suicide in those aged 25 and under. It is the worst for suicide in those aged 15 to 19. The suicide rates have remained largely unchanged for two decades.

Asked what could be behind those statistics, the Health Minister said the situation was complex.

“There are a range of pressures, certainly society with pressures of social media on young people, it is an issue that all societies, all Western countries are grappling with. And we’ve all got to do better on it.”

On whether schools should hold suicide awareness days, Coleman said suicide needed to be discussed, but in the appropriate context and with adequate support in place.

Prime Minister Bill English said talking about suicide was a “difficult balance”.

Opposition parties have targeted the Government’s record on mental health. Labour leader Andrew Little has said his party would make improving the system a priority if they were voted into Government.

As part of Budget 2017, an extra $224 million will be invested into mental health services over four years. About $25m a year will go on new “innovative” proposals to tackle mental health issues.

Officials are currently looking at the possible link between the use of digital technologies and surging demand for mental health services.