October 25, 2022
Suicide rate down
The rate of suspected suicide has dropped for the third year in a row, but the number of Māori taking their own lives was still disproportionately high.
Figures released today by the chief coroner to the Ministry of Heath website show 538 people died by suspected suicide in the financial year to 30 June 2022, a rate of 10.2 per 100,000 – the lowest in 13 years.
For Maori the rate was 15.9 per 100,000.
The director of the Suicide Prevention Office, Matthew Tukaki, says the reduction in suspected suicide rates is consistent with international data.
While it’s encouraging to see a continued reduction in the suspected suicide rate, it could take five to 10 years for a trend to emerge.
Mr Tukaki says work to prevent suicide spans across government agencies, organisations, businesses, schools, communities, and even within whānau, with the goal of no suicide in Aotearoa New Zealand.