The number of people hospitalised as a result of intentional self-harm is continuing to show a gradual decline, Ministry of Health figures show.
The 2007 figures, released today, show young people aged 15-19 have the highest rates of self-harm hospitalisations, and females are almost twice as likely as males to be hospitalised.
Among males, those aged 35-39 had the highest rates. For females, the highest rates was among 15 to 19 year olds.
The figures are also higher for Maori: 75.1 per 100,000 people, compared with 61.6 for non-Maori.
Ministry of Health mental health director Dr David Chaplow said the figures were consistent with a declining pattern over the past 11 years.
"Self-harm hospitalisation rates have dropped by 25.6 percent for the total population and 40.1 percent for those aged 15 to 24 years old since 1996," he said.
The ministry was pursuing a number of strategies to prevent suicide and self-harm. These included improved care and follow-ups, increased community understanding, and reducing the risk of suicide and self-harm for young people in Child, Youth and Family care.
