Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Mental health and wellbeing advocates want the government to address health inequities people living in rural communities face, in efforts to improve outcomes for those living outside New Zealand's main centres.
The government is asking for feedback on a suicide prevention plan for the next five years.
The Manatū Hauora/Ministry of Health plan proposed establishing a community fund focused on populations with higher needs - including rural and maternal communities.
But Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network chairperson and rural GP, Dr Fiona Bolden, said the plan was too narrow and did not address the diverse needs of people living in remote areas.
"I think the whole of rural feels quite invisible actually, particularly in the mental health field," Bolden said.
"And we have these really amazing people, working for the Rural Support Trust and Farmstrong and the iwi services, but no acknowledgement really of anything that they do within anything that's written here or how we could build upon that."
The consultation document said suicide rates were about 40 percent higher for males and 20 percent for females living in rural areas, when compared to those living in urban areas.
It recognised suicide rates were "persistent and inequitable", and though they had decreased in recent years, many population groups still experienced "inequitably high suicide rates".
The chief coroner released the annual provisional suspected suicide statistics this week which showed 617 people died by suspected suicide in the year to the end of June.
This current rate of 11.2 people per 100,000 people was higher for Māori at 16.3 per 100,000 and even higher for the age group of 25-44 age group, when compared to Pākeha.
Bolden said with many Māori people living in rural areas too, there should be greater targeting of resources.
"With the incidents being so much higher in rural than in urban areas, we would think that they needed to have a specific targeted strategy or at least an implementation plan around this," she said.
Bolden said a recent survey of New Zealand's rural clinics showed they faced a shortage of at least 130 GPs - and understaffing had led to fewer after-hours care services and new patients being turned away.
Nicky Stanley-Clarke of Massey University's school of social work said young farmers faced a double whammy of risk factors - being youth and geographically isolated.
"What we've noticed is that there really are some gaps for young people who aren't engaged with organisations, so young farm workers in particular are especially vulnerable, and also people like shepherds or young people who are out on high country farms," she said.
"What we've learnt from talking with young people is that connection is really important, but also that people genuinely [caring] about them is also really important."
Submissions on the Ministry of Health's suicide prevention plan close on 1 November, which will coincide with Gumboot Friday this year.
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm)
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
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