Launch of New Zealand 'All-Ages' Suicide Prevention Strategy

The New Zealand Suicide Prevention Strategy 2006-2016 was launched on 29 June 2006 by Associate Health Minister and the Minister responsible for suicide prevention, Hon Jim Anderton at Parliament.

The Strategy is said to herald a change in focus in that it will take an all-ages approach to suicide prevention, recognising that 80% of deaths by suicide involve those over 25.

The Strategy identifies family violence, child abuse and bullying as some of the pathways to suicidal behaviour, and maintains that family violence prevention is one of the key factors in preventing suicides in New Zealand.

Mr Anderton said that "About 500 people die each year in this tragic and preventable way. This is more than the number of people who die from road traffic crashes. Although the rate of suicide has decreased by 15% since 1998 when it was at an all time high, there is still a lot more work that can be done, particularly for Maori, young adults and youth.

"Despite our growing sophistication in many areas in society, and a growing amount of research around suicide, we still have a long way to go to fully understand suicide, particularly in developing more effective ways of reducing the toll from suicide."

"Suicidal behaviour is an issue that impacts on the whole of society, and thus requires a collaborative approach to prevent it. This includes both leadership and co-ordination across Government agencies and the active involvement of local communities," Jim Anderton said.

The Suicide Research Network of New Zealand, an alliance of researchers and clinicians with expertise in the area of suicide, was launched at the same ceremony. For more information about the Suicide Research Network contact Associate Professor Annette Beautrais Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago (03) 372 04 08 email: annette.beautrais@chmeds.ac.nz

To download a copy of the Suicide Prevention Strategy, go to
http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/nz-suicide-prevention-strategy-20...
You can order a hard copy by emailing moh@wickliffe.co.nz or calling 04 496 2277 quoting HP number 4272.