Suicide
Important: If you or anyone you know is feeling down or depressed or having suicidal thoughts, free and confidential help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from Youthline (0800 37 66 33, www.youthline.co.nz) and Lifeline (0800 543 354, www.lifeline.co.nz). You can get more information, hear others’ stories and find support services at www.thelowdown.co.nz.
Note: The data and text for this section is sourced in whole or in part from the following report: Ministry of Health (2008), Suicide Facts and Intentional Self-harm Hospitalisations 2006. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
Definition
The number of suicide deaths per 100,000 young people aged 15 to 24 years.
Relevance
Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people and an indicator of the overall health and wellbeing of the youth population.
Current level and trends
Data for 2006 show that 119 young people aged 15 to 24 died due to suicide: 61 in the 15 to 19 age group (a rate of 19.4 deaths per 100,000 population) and 58 in the 20 to 24 age group (a rate of 19.9 deaths per 100,000 population). The suicide rate for the 15-24 age group was 19.7 per 100,000 population
The youth suicide rate increased over the 1990s, with a peak of 27.2 deaths per 100,000 between 1995-1997. The youth suicide rate over the period 2004-2006 (19.3 per 100,000) remains higher than the rate in 1984-1986 (13.4 per 100,000).
Suicide death rate per 100,000 young people aged 15 to 24 years, by sex, selected years 1983-2005
Source: Ministry of Health, New Zealand Health Information Service.
Note: Data presented is the mid-point of a three-year moving average. 2005 data is provisional.
