But Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network chairwoman and rural GP Dr Fiona Bolden said the plan was too narrow and did not address the diverse needs of people living in remote areas.
“I think the whole of rural feels quite invisible actually, particularly in the mental health field,” Bolden said.
“And we have these really amazing people working for the Rural Support Trust and Farmstrong and the iwi services, but no acknowledgement really of anything that they do within anything that’s written here or how we could build upon that.”
The consultation document said suicide rates were about 40% higher for males and 20% for females living in rural areas when compared to those living in urban areas.
It recognised suicide rates were “persistent and inequitable”, and though they had decreased in recent years, many population groups still experienced “inequitably high suicide rates”.
The chief coroner released the annual provisional suspected suicide statistics this week which showed 617 people died by suspected suicide in the year to the end of June.
This current rate of 11.2 people per 100,000 people was higher for Māori at 16.3 per 100,000 and even higher for the age group of 25-44 age group, when compared to Pākehā.
Bolden said with many Māori people living in rural areas too, there should be greater targeting of resources.
“With the incidents being so much higher in rural than in urban areas, we would think that they needed to have a specific targeted strategy or at least an implementation plan around this,” she said.
Bolden said a recent survey of New Zealand’s rural clinics showed they faced a shortage of at least 130 GPs - and understaffing had led to fewer after-hours care services and new patients being turned away.
Nicky Stanley-Clarke of Massey University’s School of Social Work said young farmers faced a double whammy of risk factors - those being youth and geographically isolated.
“What we’ve noticed is that there really are some gaps for young people who aren’t engaged with organisations, so young farm workers, in particular, are especially vulnerable, and also people like shepherds or young people who are out on high country farms,” she said.
“What we’ve learnt from talking with young people is that connection is really important, but also that people genuinely [caring] about them is also really important.”
Submissions on the Ministry of Health’s suicide prevention plan close on November 1, which will coincide with Gumboot Friday this year.
- RNZ
SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION
Where to get help:
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Rural Support Trust: Call 0800 787 254
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Farmstrong: Nationwide wellbeing programme for the rural community.
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Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
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Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
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Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
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What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)
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Depression helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737
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Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.