Conference to tackle high male suicide rate

New Zealand's alarmingly high rate of male suicide will be the focus of a conference in Christchurch next week.

Organised by Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand (Spinz), the conference will look at ways of accessing and supporting the emotional well-being of males, and examine prevention.

Spinz director Merryn Stratham said that while the overall suicide rate had been declining since 1998, there were still 350 male suicides in 2002, compared with 110 female.

The rate was higher for male Maori and meant New Zealand had the sixth-highest rate of male suicide within OECD countries.

"Men are dying by suicide at completely disproportionate rates and we must find ways to prevent this," Ms Stratham said.

Every suicide had devastating effects on families, friends and communities.

Conference delegates will examine suicide prevention strategies in England and Scotland, along with strategies working specifically with Maori and Pacific people.

The gathering is being held during Mental Health Awareness Week, in recognition of the links between mental health and suicide.

www.spinz.org.nz