Teen girls more likely to attempt suicide than boys

Female secondary school students have attempted suicide or some form of self-harm in much greater numbers than male students of the same age, a survey released today has found.

Suicidal thoughts were also higher in lower socio-economic groups and among Maori students, the survey found.

The figures came from an Auckland University study, Suicide Behaviours and Mental Health in 2001 and 2007, one of five reports presented to the World Suicide Prevention Day forum in Auckland this morning.

The findings from the 2007 survey of 9000 students found that 26 percent of female students had deliberately hurt themselves or done something they knew may have harmed or even killed them, compared to 6.1 percent of male students.

It found 6.9 percent of female students had attempted suicide, compared to 2.9 percent of male students.

However, it also found that 21.5 percent of those who said they attempted suicide had not said they had serious suicidal thoughts beforehand.

"These students evidently proceeded to a suicide attempt impulsively, without having any suicidal thoughts before or after it," the report said.

Broken down into ethnic terms, the study also said Maori students were more likely than European students to report suicidal thoughts (17.4 percent vs 12.4 percent), suicide plans (11.1 percent vs 7.4 percent) and suicide attempts (6.9 percent vs 3.6 percent).

It also showed the numbers of students reporting suicide attempts was higher in low socio-economic neighbourhoods than among students from high socio-economic ones (6.8 percent vs 3.6 percent).

The survey also said the mental health of male students reporting significant symptoms of depression decreased from 9.3 percent in 2001 to 6.9 percent in 2007, while for female students it remained unchanged at around 15 percent.

"Taken together, the results show that most young people in New Zealand have good mental health and wellbeing, and do not think about suicide or engage in any form of suicidal behaviour," the report said.

"However, these behaviours are not uncommon, especially among certain groups at particular risk: young women, young people from low socio-economic communities, those with substance abuse and mental health disorders, and those attracted to the same or both sexes."

It said a range of different approaches were needed to reduce the risk factors that increased the likelihood a young person would think about, plan or attempt suicide, and to enhance protective factors which decreased the likelihood of suicide behaviours.