The number of calls to Southern police relating to suicide continues to climb.
Between July 2016 and May this year, Southern police were called to more than 1500 suicide threats or attempts - 4.5 a day.
That number is 16.5% up on the previous financial year and 27.5% up on two years ago.
Nationally, police attended close to 18,000 incidents in the 11-month period.
The rise has coincided with an increasing suicide toll. The coroner’s provisional number of suicides for the 2015-16 financial year was 579, the highest since records began a decade ago.
Southern district police mental health liaison officer Inspector Matenga Gray said the rise in suicide threats and self-harm incidents was an "international phenomenon with many theories as to why this may be".
"It is not yet known what definitively is behind the rise in threatening/attempted suicides calls that are made to police," he said.
"It is a very complicated social issue with no easy answer."
Officers received mental health training at Police College and further training once operational to prepare them for the task.
"De-escalation and crisis resolution training is part of ongoing training police receive for all incidents," Insp Gray said.
"Police operationally work closely with mental health crisis teams, and health facilities to provide the best possible response.
"Frontline police are all trained in managing crisis situations, depending on the circumstances police negotiators may be brought in.
"Police will always have a role to play in mental health as we provide a 24/7 emergency in-person response.
"Police daily provide to the public not just a crime response, but also a social service response in a number of fields.
"Like all demands on police officers we look to work with other agencies to provide a better service to various groups we interact with and across the country we are doing this in the mental health space."
Need Help?
Suicide/depression related
Healthline 0800 611 116
Lifeline Aotearoa 0800 543 354
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Samaritans 0800 726 666
Alcohol Drug Helpline 0800 787 797
General mental health inquiries: 0800 44 33 66
The Depression Helpline 0800 111 757
Specific numbers for children
Youthline: 0800 376 633 txt 234 or talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up (for 5-18 year olds; 1pm-11pm): 0800 942 8787
Kidsline (aimed at children up to age 14; 4pm-6pm weekdays): 0800 54 37 54 (0800 kidsline)
Rainbow youth (LGBTQ youth helpline): (09) 3764155
Domestic Abuse
Women's Refuge: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843
Shine: 9am-11pm every day, 0508 744 633
Shakti: for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children. 0800 742 584
Rape Crisis: 0800 883 300
Others
Citizens Advice Bureau: 0800 367 222
Family Services Directory: 0800 211 211 or www.familyservices.govt.nz/ directory
Netsafe (online bullying, harassment or abuse): 0508 638 723
