Nationally, to the year ended June 30, 654 New Zealanders died by suicide, compared with 685 the year before.
In the Southern District Health Board region, 54 people died by suicide, down three from the previous year.
Of the 20 DHBs, Southern has one of the largest number of deaths by suicide.
Last year, only three other DHB areas recorded more deaths by suicide, and from 2007 until now five DHBs had more suicide deaths than the 623 in Southern.
However, the number of self-inflicted deaths in the South was decreasing, which was encouraging, Mrs Taylor said.
‘‘I am really relieved to see that the numbers in the Southern DHB catchment area have come down for the second year in a row from 65 to 57, and now to 54 this year.
‘‘We all hope to see a continued downward trend in future.’’
Suicide was preventable and everyone could make a difference by being continually alert to signs that someone could be thinking of suicide, Mrs Taylor said.
‘‘Not talking about suicide only reinforces the idea that it’s not OK to talk about it.
‘‘What will stop suicide is when we all become more aware of the signs, to have the confidence to help a person in distress and to connect them to life-saving resources.’’
Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall said provisional statistics showed the suicide rate was at its lowest in three years.
“While it is encouraging to see the suspected suicide rate and number drop for the past year, it’s important to remember that there are still more than 650 families who have lost someone in tragic circumstances,” she said.
“My sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who died by suspected suicide in the past year,” she said.
Throughout the year there had been ‘‘unhelpful and irresponsible’’ public commentary on what impact Covid-19 would have on the suicide rate, Judge Marshall said.
“During the first lockdown period I said it was unhelpful to release figures for such a short timeframe, as it is nearly impossible to draw sound conclusions, nor do I believe such public discourse is helpful to people in distress.’’
In October last year, the Government established the Suicide Prevention Office with a mandate to implement the national suicide prevention strategy — a document which maps a plan to reduce the number of New Zealanders who take their own life.
Office director Carla na Nagara echoed Judge Marshall’s concern about the possible negative impact of speculation on a link between Covid-19 and the suicide rate.
‘‘This is distressing for families and communities, can be triggering for vulnerable people and further stretches the people who are working hard to provide support.
‘‘While the Covid-19 response may have significant, long-term effects on people’s lives, an increase in suicides is not inevitable.’’
