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Suicide rates 50 percent higher than road toll - coroner

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Thu, 12 Aug 2010 9:47a.m.

Coroners are restricted on what information can be released, except name, age, occupation, and finding of self-inflicted death under the Coroners Act 2006 (file pic)

Coroners are restricted on what information can be released, except name, age, occupation, and finding of self-inflicted death under the Coroners Act 2006 (file pic)

Suicides should be widely reported as it could potentially save lives, the Chief Coroner says.

Judge Neil MacLean said New Zealanders taking their own lives was 50 percent higher than the road toll, though it received little attention.

There were concerns media reporting could cause copycat suicides, but responsible reporting could potentially save lives, he told The Press.

What's Your Opinion?

Coroners are restricted on what information can be released, except name, age, occupation, and finding of self-inflicted death under the Coroners Act 2006.

Statistics released by Judge MacLean show the number of deaths ruled as self-inflicted has been about 540 for each of the past three financial years while the road toll has dropped from 435 in 2004 to 390 last year.

More than 2500 New Zealanders are admitted to hospital annually after intentional self-harm.

Judge MacLean said he "tended to agree" with a call made by South Australian coroner Mark Johns last month.

Mr Johns said suicides should be reported the same way as the road toll, with tables of how people were taking their own lives.

"My personal view is that there's room for some gentle opening up of things ... but it probably requires legislative change to restore the balance, and that's a matter for a conscience vote in Parliament," Judge MacLean said.

It was "probably OK" to print statistical information about methods of suicide.

"I'm sympathetic to the view that there's sufficient curiosity of the media on behalf of the public to say: `What's happening in New Zealand; what are our figures and what are the trends?"' he said.

NZPA

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Comments

25 Feb 2011 12:52p.m.

Anna Dixon wrote:

The suicide stats are massive, and yet I don't think we are all aware how hard it is to be a kiwi, I agree with Katrina that, NZ is no longer a great lifestyle place to live the poorer are getting poorer, havn't the funding to get ahead or to get there children ahead in terms of getting the skills needed to get a job, life is very tough for people on low incomes, their health declines, there is a high rate of depression out there and despite all whats available out there its just not enough, people are unsupported in this country especially those on low income . I never thought life would be this hard when I was a teenager,but see it now and I see the hardship every day within my own town, those very people suffer from low self worth, and generally take drugs and alcohol to ease the pain of such hardships I feel for these people as a lot don't have family support.

I live in a small town of 5000 and in just 3 years Ive lost 3 friends to suicide, wonderful people whose lives have spiralled downwards, they see no way out of the situation there in.

I wish people would care more for there friends listen to what they say and if you feel they need help be there for them and try to support them, it is so hard to lose our friends via this method it leaves a lasting impact on a family, life seems to be getting much harder, even if youve got employment, the low wages we pay out in this country make it a struggle for many to make ends meet, especially with the rising prices of our food, electricity, our high taxes, gst and all the other costs involved in living.

Being a kiwi is no longer very fun.

12 Aug 2010 02:29p.m.

katrina wrote:

Our suicide rates are high because of a number of things. Our mental health system is severely lacking.
We drink too much alcohol. Alcohol and drug consumption increase the risk of depression.
New Zealand is becoming a tougher and tougher place to live. New Zealand is no longer a great lifestyle place. We are having to work harder and longer hours.
Our kids are under a lot more pressure to succeed academically than before a lot of it due to tougher competition from high achieving immigrants.

12 Aug 2010 12:20p.m.

Andrew wrote:

Out of morbid curiosity the first question people are inclined to ask is HOW a person took their life. A natural inclination maybe but is it really relevant and is it any of my business to know, Mr Johns? Should we not be asking WHY?