Dr Clark, who is Labour's associate health spokesman, said the Southern District Health Board was pressing ahead with its plan to effectively reduce services, despite the growing need in the community.
The proposed cuts are part of a wide-reaching 5% cost reduction in all board services as the SDHB grapples with a ballooning deficit.
''The region has one of the highest suicide rates in New Zealand, and service providers tell me they are already under-resourced to meet community need.
''In April it was revealed about 80% of suicide victims in the Southern District Health Board region had been in contact with the mental health system in the 12 months before their death,'' Dr Clark said.
However, health board mental health medical director Dr Brad Strong said suicide rates alone should not be used to measure the quality of the mental health service.
''We who serve those with suicidal thoughts and urges as part of our daily work have come to recognise that more than mental illness is involved in a choice to end one's life,'' Dr Strong said.
''We agree that further work is required to understand how well our communities and the wider health services are performing in relation to suicide prevention.''
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508-828-865.
