By 3 News online staff
In the year to June, 547 people in New Zealand committed suicide – including a child under the age of 10.
The total number of deaths is 11 lower than last year, a slight decline that obscures some "concerning trends", according to chief coroner Judge Neil MacLean.
The average number of suicides each year since the Ministry of Justice began collating statistics is 543.
In the last year however there was a significant rise in teen suicide. In the 15 to 19-year-old age group, there were 80 suicides, up from 56 the year before.
Maori teens in particular have been hard hit, with 37 suicides in the 15 to 19-year-old age group, compared to 21 in 2010/11.
But the suicide rate for people aged 50 to 74 dropped, as did the rate in Christchurch in the period immediately following the September 2010 and February 2011 quakes. The coroner states this is a phenomenon that has been seen following other large-scale crisis events.
"We had the early rallying around of the community and the fall in numbers, but it was always going to be this time that would see some people not coping with the huge stresses," says Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne.
"We need to keep doing everything we can to keep support around those who are particularly stressed and vulnerable."
Twenty-eight percent of all people who committed suicide were known to be unemployed. Students and retirees also have a higher rate, when compared with the rest of the population.
Around three times as many men commit suicide than women.
“Concerning trends”
"The annual number of suicides has remained relatively constant, but our latest figures show some concerning trends," says Judge MacLean.
"Significant is the jump in teenage suicide numbers, and the continued rise of Maori suicides, in particular young Maori."
This is the third year the coroner has released detailed suicide statistics to the media. They show a suicide in the five to nine-year-old age group for the first time. The coroner says no details about that case will be made public.
"I continue to believe we need to gently bring the issue of suicide from out of the shadows," says Judge MacLean.
"Coroners have a responsibility to encourage the informed public discussion about how best to reduce the rate of suicide. To have that discussion we need up-to-date and complete information."
"What these figures confirm is there are no quick or easy fixes," says Mr Dunne.
"Suicide is as complex as it is tragic, and each death comes from many factors."
He says a new National Suicide Prevention Action Plan will be released early next year.
3 News