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RNZ News
3 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
The new Suicide Prevention Action Plan - What you need to know
A new Suicide Prevention Action Plan was announced this week. Photo: RNZ/Michelle Tiang Explainer - New Zealand's suicide rate is "stubbornly high", with more than 600 people dead by suspected suicide in 2023-24. To tackle the problem the government this week announced a new Suicide Prevention Action Plan . Here's what you need to know. The five-year plan, described as a "whole of government" approach, includes 21 health-led new actions and 13 cross-agency new actions . "Suicide is preventable and we have a duty as a government, and as a country, to do more to ensure all New Zealanders have the access and support they need to heal and go on to live the life they deserve," Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey said in introducing the plan Tuesday. More than 400 people and organisations provided feedback during the public consultation on the draft plan, with what Doocey called a focus on "lived experience". "We've heard through extensive engagement with communities, families, and people who have been affected by suicide, that they expect the whole-of government approach to suicide prevention and clear actions that can make a tangible difference for communities." The plan builds on the government's Suicide Prevention Strategy 2019-2029 and the 2019-2024 prevention action plan. Doocey said this new plan would focus "on delivery with clear milestones, completion dates, and importantly an accountable agency". The Ministry of Health's suicide prevention office will lead delivery of the plan with the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission monitoring its delivery. A new overall Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy is also set to be released by the government in October. The plan specifies four categories of actions: The plan places an emphasis on "postvention" - support for those who have lost someone to suicide or survive a suicide attempt. Among the new initiatives are plans to open six "crisis hubs" that will provide options for people experiencing distress, Doocey said. "What do know sadly with suicide is there are a number that are same-day crisis so we do know that if we can get in early and support someone through that 24 hours we can make a real difference." The plan outlines a series of suicide prevention initiatives, each with specific deadlines over the next five years. Among the goals listed are: "I think (the plan) is doing what it can with the limited resources that Minster Doocey has been able to get to take things forward," Mental Health Foundation chief executive Shaun Robinson told Midday Report . "There are some good things in the plan. The scale of all the changes is relatively small. There's a lot of pilots, there's a lot of limited numbers of new services." Watch Minister Doocey deliver the plan here: About $36 million is being put into it. It will be supported by an existing Vote Health suicide prevention investment of $20 million per year, plus an additional of more than $16 million per year from 2025/26 to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports. In wider mental health efforts, Budget 2025 invested $28 million over four years to fund the transition from a police-led response to a mental health response to 111 mental distress calls and $50 million in improving the safety, privacy and dignity of mentally distressed people at mental health facilities. The rate of suspected self-inflicted deaths was 11.2 per 100,000 population for 2023-24, Health New Zealand figures show. "New Zealand continues to face stubbornly high suicide rates," Doocey said in introducing the plan. "Last year, 617 people died by suspected suicide." In 2023-24 the average rate of suspected suicide decreased by 3.6 percent from the historical average, but it was not considered a statistically significant decrease to the 15-year average. The figures show some communities were far more affected than others. Men have approximately 2.5 higher rates of suicide than women, while youth aged 20 to 24 have the highest suspected suicide rate of 19.9 per 100,000, according to Health New Zealand figures. Māori experience about 1.8 times the suspected suicide rate of non-Maōri. In the LGBTIQ+ community, 64 percent of young people thought about suicide in the past year while 10 percent had attempted it. Other communities with higher rates included Pacific youth, rural communities and young people involved with Oranga Tamariki. Earlier this year a controversial UNICEF report claimed New Zealand's youth suicide rate was three times higher than the international average for high-income countries, but University of Auckland mental health experts have disputed that figure . Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Much of the funding is targeted, the Mental Health Foundation's Robinson said. "Some of the things that are really positive in the plan are additional specific suicide prevention funding targeted to different groups like young people, like rural communities, that I think is a good step," Robinson said. "We definitely need more services that are specifically addressing the needs of groups that are at risk." The plan states, "More kaupapa Māori approaches to suicide prevention are also needed as well as ensuring visibility of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and prioritisation of specific Māori-led actions." "We know one of the biggest barriers to support is our workforce," Doocey said. "The plan includes initiatives that will grow our workforce, such as by expanding suicide prevention training and strengthening existing resources to better equip workforces, communities and families." Earlier this year data was released showing that fewer people are getting specialist mental health care despite rising needs . Data by Te Hiringa Mahara-Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission shows 16,000 fewer people were seen by specialist services in the year to June 2024, compared to a peak in the year ended June 2021. Two-thirds of those people were under age 25. Police have also begun the staged retreat from responding to mental health call-outs . Asked about the pressure that puts on mental health services by Nine To Noon , Doocey said the $28 million invested in the Budget will fund the transition. "The transitioning from a police led 111 mental health crisis response to a mental health-led 111 crisis response is a four- to five-year program." Robinson said that while the plan shows progress, there is much work to be done on improving mental well-being. "I think that the whole mental health infrastructure is still struggling significantly. But then, the other things we need to think about is what's happening in our wider community that impacts on people's sense of hope and sense of wellbeing - unemployment, economic problems, increased conflict over things like race, and all of these things do contribute to the issues around suicide. "In many ways we're taking two steps forward and perhaps one step back in New Zealand. I do think this plan is two steps forward, so on the whole I guess it's good to see some progress." If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Data Shows Mental Health Access Improving
Minister for Mental Health Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the latest quarterly results for the Government's mental health and addiction targets, saying the access targets reflect real progress in delivering faster, more accessible support to New Zealanders. "I'm pleased to see that at a national level, 84.3 per cent of people are accessing primary mental health and addiction services within one week, well above the 80 per cent target and well above the quarter one result of 80.8 per cent,'Mr Doocey says. 'In addition, 82.4 per cent of people are being seen by specialist services within three weeks of referral, also exceeding expectations and two per cent higher than the quarter one result.' While the positive national trends in access are encouraging, the Minister acknowledged that performance remains uneven across regions and emphasised the need to lift results in underperforming districts. 'I have been meeting with Health NZ's Regional Deputy Chief Executives to understand the challenges and plans to lift performance. 'In particular, performance on reducing emergency department (ED) stays for mental health related presentations remains a challenge. The national result rose to 66.1 per cent in quarter three, up from 63.5 per cent in quarter one.' This average result falls short of the 74 per cent milestone for the Shorter Stays in ED target, twelve of the twenty districts have reached it in quarter three. 'We know that EDs aren't always the best place to seek mental health support for a number of reasons, but every year thousands of Kiwis turn up at EDs look for mental health support. That is why we are investing in peers support specialists in eight large hospitals over two years. We are also opening 6 new crisis cafes and boosting telehealth and our community services,' Mr Doocey says. 'These results show we're making good progress, but we're not there yet. This Government is committed to partnering with those working on the frontline to ensure they have the support they need to support others in when they need it. 'As New Zealand's first Minister for Mental Health, I have consistently said that accountability is vital and that we will continue to take a proactive approach to improving access and providing timely mental health and addiction support when and where it's needed.' Notes: Factsheets for quarter three results can be found here. Faster access to specialist mental health and addiction services: target of 80 percent of people accessing specialist mental health and addiction services are seen within three weeks. 82.4 percent of people were seen by specialist mental health service within three weeks in quarter 3, compared with 80.4 percent in quarter 1. Faster access to primary mental health and addiction services: target of 80 percent of people accessing primary mental health and addiction services through the Access and Choice programme are seen within one week. 84.3 per cent of people were seen by primary mental health service within one week in quarter 3, compared with 80.8 percent in quarter 1. Shorter mental health and addiction-related stays in emergency departments: target of 95 percent of mental health and addiction-related emergency department presentations are admitted, discharged, or transferred from an emergency department within six hours. 66.1 per cent of people were admitted, discharged, or transferred from an emergency department within six hours in quarter 3, compared with 63.5 percent in quarter 1. Increased mental health and addiction workforce development: target of training 500 mental health and addiction professionals each year. Increased mental health and addiction workforce development – 349 (This number includes semester one intake only) Strengthened focus on prevention and early intervention: target of 25 percent of mental health and addiction investment is allocated towards prevention and early intervention.
Scoop
4 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Targeted Action On Suicide Prevention
Minister for Mental Health The Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has today launched the Government's Suicide Prevention Action Plan which sets out a five-year whole-of-government approach to preventing suicide in New Zealand. 'I want to acknowledge the people who have lost their lives to suicide, those struggling with their mental health or addiction, and those with lived experience or who have been affected by suicide,' Mr Doocey says. 'New Zealand continues to face stubbornly high suicide rates. Last year, 617 people died by suspected suicide. Behind that number are grieving families, friends, colleagues, and communities. 'What sets this Plan apart from the last is the actions in the Plan are now focused on delivery with clear milestones, completion dates, and importantly an accountable agency. 'There are 21 health-led new actions and 13 cross-agency new actions in the Plan. The actions overall aim is to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports, grow a workforce that is able to support those at risk of, or affected by suicide, and strengthen our focus on prevention and early intervention. 'I am particularly proud that this plan is grounded in lived experience. More than 400 people and organisations contributed to the consultation process, including many who have experienced distress themselves or lost someone to suicide. Their insights shaped these actions and helped ensure we are targeting the right areas. 'Some key actions include by the end of this year establishing a new suicide prevention community fund. This will provide targeted support that is focused on populations experiencing higher rates of suicidal distress. 'We know one of the biggest barriers to support is our workforce. The Plan includes initiatives that will grow our workforce, such as by expanding suicide prevention training and strengthening existing resources to better equip workforces, communities and families. 'We want people to receive care in the community instead of resorting to an emergency department, that is why by the end of next June, we will have rolled out six crisis recovery cafés that will provide more options for people experiencing distress. 'However, for those who are presenting to emergency departments in mental distress, by the end of December we will establish peer support roles in eight emergency departments for people presenting with mental health and addiction needs.' Implementation of the action plan will be supported by existing suicide prevention investment of $20 million per year, plus allocation of an additional $16 million per year to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports through initiatives identified in the Plan. 'There is hope and a way forward. Suicide is preventable and we have a duty as a Government, and as a country, to do more to ensure all New Zealanders have the access and support they need to heal and go on to live the life they deserve,' Mr Doocey says.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Matt Doocey on new suicide prevention plan
health politics 44 minutes ago The government has this morning released its second Suicide Prevention Action Plan. Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey joins Kathryn to discuss what's in it, and how it will sit alongside work to improve Kiwis' access to mental health and addiction services.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Govt launches suicide prevention plan
The government has launched a "targeted plan" to prevent suicide, outlining a five-year whole-of-government approach. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the latest Suicide Prevention Action Plan at Te Rau Ora, a Māori-focused mental health and addiction organisation, on Tuesday. Doocey said New Zealand continued to face "stubbornly high" suicide rates, with 617 people dying last year by suspected suicide, and the government had a "duty" to do more to ensure everyone could access support and go on to live the life they deserved. "What sets this plan apart from the last is the actions in the plan are now focused on delivery with clear milestones, completion dates and, importantly, an accountable agency." The plan included 21 health-led new actions and 13 cross-agency new actions. "The action's overall aim is to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports, grow a workforce that is able to support those at risk of - or affected by - suicide, and strengthen our focus on prevention and early intervention," Doocey said. The plan specified four new health and cross-government actions: - Improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports - Grow a capable and confident suicide prevention and postvention workforce - Strengthen the focus on prevention and early intervention - Improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention and our understanding of suicide The first action included establishing a suicide prevention community fund by the end of this year that focused on populations experiencing "higher rates of suicidal distress", like maternal, youth and rural communities, to go alongside funds already available for Māori and Pacific peoples affected. By the end of October, it would also look to establish peer support roles in eight emergency departments for people presenting to hospital with mental health and addiction needs. Before that, six regionally led and community-designed crisis recovery cafés or hubs would be set up, so people didn't always have to resort to an emergency department and could receive care in the community. Growing the workforce included expanded suicide prevention training and guidance to better equip those workforces, as well as families to support people who may experience suicidal distress. Action 4 included establishing a cross-agency working group by the end of September that would monitor progress against suicide prevention actions. Doocey said he was particularly proud of this plan, because it was grounded in lived experience, after 400 people and organisations contributed to the consultation process, including those who had experienced suicidal distress themselves or lost someone to suicide. "Their insights shaped these actions and helped ensure we are targeting the right areas." As part of the announcement, Doocey acknowledged those who had lost their lives to suicide, and those who were struggling with mental health or addiction. Implementation of the plan will be supported by existing funding of $20 million a year, plus an additional $16 million a year to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports through initiatives identified in the plan.
