Warning: This article discusses suicide.
The number of people dying by suspected suicide in New Zealand has increased compared to last year prompting campaigners to call for a different approach.
On Thursday, Chief Coroner Judge Anna Tutton released figures for the financial year to June 30, 2023, which showed 565 people died by suspected suicide and the rate was 10.6 people per 100,000. It's an increase on last year's figure which showed 538 people died by suspected suicide and the rate was 10.2.
"Our thoughts are with the many people who are affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one and I offer my sincere condolences to them," Judge Tutton said.
The highest rate of suicide was in the 20-24 age group.
"There's a lot of good work going on but we need to link up the efforts already happening, have a plan, fill in the gaps, and do better than this," said Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive Shaun Robinson.
Yellow Brick Road, which helps families support loved ones through mental health challenges, says with clinical delays some people take months to be seen, and there needs to be more of a focus on upskilling whanau.
"It's a very sustainable approach upskilling whanau and communities as opposed to reacting when things go wrong," CEO John Moore said.
He said the aim is to give families tools so they don't struggle to engage, because "there's often a fear they might say the wrong thing but the fear of saying the wrong thing is out of proportion to the risk of not talking to each other."
"For most people, the answer to having a good life is the people you share it with and the things that you do with your time that give you meaning and purpose and enjoyment."
Māori continue to be disproportionately negatively affected in the latest figures.
The provisional rate of suspected suicide for Māori is 15.8 per 100,000 people for the 22/23 financial year. There was a statistically significant reduction in the rate per 100,000 people for Pacific populations, which is now 5.1 per 100,000 people, compared with the average of the past 14 years.
"Things are not getting substantially worse but they are not getting substantially better and that's not good enough we need to try harder" said Mental Health Foundation chief Executive Shaun Robinson.
As an 18-year-old Aucklander Grayson Nipper was ready to 'check out'.
"I felt ashamed I was not strong enough to push through what was going on for me, I just didn't want to be around anyone. I didn't want to accept anyone's help around me I just kept pushing people away," he said.
Nipper credits Youth In Transition with saving his life.
Its Duke House facilities at Waitoki, north of Auckland provides access to neurologists, counsellors, nutrition, nature walks even gardening therapy through the Journey Back to Awesome (JBA) programme.
Youth In Transition Leader Tina Jones told Newshub they have an increasing number of referrals with 250 young people in the programme who have either attempted suicide or thinking about it.
"Many of our kids say they are being born into a dying world and they are losing hope."
She, like the Mental Health Foundation is looking to the new government to "come up with a plan" as she feels the clinical approach is not for everyone.
"It's all about belonging, a sense of purpose and community. Some of the girls in the programme are being taught by older ladies to knit, and they're no longer self-harming as a result."
30-year-old Nipper is now giving back as a mentor with Youth In Transition. Soon to graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, he's a living, breathing inspiration to others now coming through the programme.
Where to find help and support:
- Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
- What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
- Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
- Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
- Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
- Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
