Region's suicide figures drop

Suicide figures have dropped in the Rotorua region.

Ten people took their own lives in the Lakes region in the past year, the lowest figure for the region since records began, new statistics reveal.

The 2014/15 figure from the year to June is down five from last year, and 13 from 2010/11.

But national figures paint a different picture, with 564 people taking their own lives - the highest number of suicides, surpassing the previous record of 558 in 2011.

The figures were released by Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall yesterday as part of the nation's provisional annual suicide statistics.

Te Runanga Ngati o Pikiao Trust co-ordinates suicide prevention programmes and project leader Michael Naera said the dropping rate in the Lakes District Health Board area was good to see and attributed it largely to the "co-ordinated approach" to addressing the issue.

"We have these wonderful whanau champions in different regions who have been collaborating closely with their communities and taking an educative approach to addressing suicide, especially among our youth."

Mr Naera said they were also working to break down barriers for young Maori men - a demographic over-represented in the statistics.

"There are high depression rates in our young Maori men and it is fatal when coupled with this staunch attitude that men can't talk about their feelings.

"We want to create avenues for these men to seek help and speak more openly about depression and suicide. We will continue working hard to lower our figures as one suicide is one too many," Mr Naera said.

Rotorua woman and Tree of Life - My journey with grief author Heeni Morehu lost her 16-year-old son Hepa to suicide in 2011 and said it was clear Rotorua communities were open to working together and having discussions concerning suicide.

"There are so many people willing to listen and help to spread awareness in the city. It saddens me that suicide numbers haven't decreased nationally and there is always room for improvement but the fact local figures are declining is something to celebrate.

"We need to encourage our whanau nationwide because in my opinion the positive impact in our area has been mostly from whanau."

She said while she was happy Rotorua suicides were down, she would be "ecstatic" when that was nationwide.

Judge Marshall said it was disappointing the drop in suicides observed last year had not continued.

"Over the last eight years I believe we've seen a shift in society's preparedness to have a more open conversation about suicide, but we are not seeing any movement in what is an unfortunate static annual figure."

Lakes DHB suicide figures

2014/15: 10
2013/14: 15
2012/13: 15
2011/12: 18
2010/11: 23

Where to get help

Youth services: 06 3555 906
Youthline: 0800 376 633
Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (4pm to 6pm weekdays)
Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (noon to midnight)
Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (24-hour service)
Rainbow Youth: 09 376 4155

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111