"Even one suicide or attempted suicide is one too many," it read.
The MDHB has a Suicide Prevention Action Plan using a number of partnerships. They also have a number of suicide prevention programmes, and a dedicated Suicide Prevention co-ordinator. The statement said youth were supported through a number of workshops facilitated by this co-ordinator.
They also provide education for school counsellors and teachers about depression and anxiety and detecting and managing suicide. MidCentral has hosted a number of workshops on cyber bullying as part of their Suicide Prevention Postvention Action Plan.
They also use a School Based Health Service, where nurses work in decile 1-3 schools, and have a multi-agency response team who can provide assistance to schools at short notice following a suicide to prevent contagion.
The Action Plan takes a collaborative approach and involves many agencies, such as the Youth One Stop Shop.
Another organisation working in partnership to support young people is Youthline.
They have been operating in the Manawatu for more than 30 years.
Chief executive officer Stephen Bell said New Zealand's suicide statistics were shameful.
"Youthline is very clear about what it can do to make a difference. As CEO, I lead an organisation that works with passion to ensure that all young people know where to go, can ask for and receive good help when needed, are able to help others through a hard time and are engaged in things that light their fire through being active in their communities."
He said Youthline was frustrated that the suicide statistics continued to rise.
"If this were a visible disease, and we had lost 564 people to it last year, there would be a national outcry, but we have become numb as a society to this silent epidemic."
He said it was good to see the minister taking action and he hoped this meant funding for Youthline wouldn't be such a struggle.
"Previously it has felt that central government is a barrier for Youthline, especially the Ministry which is more likely to fund new initiatives than support an organisation that is known by most young New Zealanders."
He said their mission was to train young New Zealanders in "emotional first aid" and equip them with the tools to talk about what's going on in their lives.
"Those working with young people are in a good position to educate young people, encourage help-seeking from appropriate services and support young people in following through with prescribed treatments."
Youthline managed 9233 contacts in the Manawatu last year, supporting close to 1000 young people.
The highest ranking issue was depression, followed closely by suicide.
WHERE TO GET HELP
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
Or, if you need to talk to someone else, the following helplines are available:
LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757
SAMARITANS: 0800 726 666
