Suicide Prevention DHB Toolkit

You are here: Home > Publications > 2001
Suicide Prevention
DHB Toolkit

Date of publication: October 2001

Summary
Publication availability
Related information

Summary

Suicide and suicide attempts are a significant public health issue in New Zealand, and a major source of morbidity, mortality and health costs.

Suicidal behaviour occurs on a continuum from thoughts and ideas to attempts and death.

There are multiple risk factors, many of which are generic to a range of poor health outcomes not just suicide. The presence of mental illness, principally depression, is a key factor.

At an individual level, suicide is difficult to predict. However the population rate of suicide can be reduced with a comprehensive approach at a number of levels and across a range of sectors.

The main themes from reports and strategies on suicide prevention, both in New Zealand and internationally, state the need for a comprehensive and intersectoral approach. This approach should use multiple strategies that:

address multiple risk and protective factors
involve sustained action over a long period
involve local, regional and national action
have a wide view of prevention as requiring interventions at a range of levels including the environment, whole population, specific population groups (eg, Māori, youth, Pacific peoples, males) and individuals at risk (preferably in the context of the family/whānau)
include a focus on improving data, research and evaluation.

District Health Boards (DHBs) are well placed to ensure there are comprehensive, integrated and intersectoral suicide prevention services in their region. Suicide prevention in the health sector is needed at a range of intervention points, involving public, primary, secondary and tertiary health services.

A comprehensive evidence base on effective interventions is still developing. However, there is general agreement that a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention needs interventions to address:

mental health promotion including strengthening social cohesion and providing supportive environments
effective, accessible and responsive services for people with mental disorders or suicidal behaviours
training and skill development on suicide risk assessment and management
a managed approach to media and publicity about suicide
reducing access to the means of suicide
postvention management and support for families and friends following suicide
data collection, information dissemination and research
a framework for community action.

DHBs are expected to work in accordance with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and involve Māori at all levels of service delivery in the prevention of suicide.
One of the key themes of the New Zealand Health Strategy is that of reducing inequalities in health. This theme is reflected throughout this Toolkit and additional information on reducing inequalities is also available.

Publication availability

The publication is available in Word and PDF format below:

Suicide Prevention Toolkit (Word, 554 KB)
Suicide Prevention Toolkit (PDF, 745 KB)

Read our copyright information

Go to information about ordering and downloading publications

Related information

Suicide Prevention