New Zealand marks World Suicide Prevention Day

WELLINGTON, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) — New Zealand marked the World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday by reflecting on the “unacceptably high” youth suicide rate, said Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey.
“I am particularly concerned at the increasing levels of distress among our young people,” Doocey said, adding there are still gaps that need addressing to strengthen the country’s suicide prevention and postvention system.
A consultation for the government’s draft suicide prevention action plan over the next five years was launched to mark the World Suicide Prevention Day at an event in Parliament, witnessed by many people “who are making a difference for families and communities across New Zealand,” he said, adding that the current action plan will end later this year.
The actions in the draft plan aim to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention support, grow a workforce able to support those at risk of or impacted by suicide, and strengthen the focus on prevention and early intervention through improved research and data collection, the minister added. ■