Year: 1997 Source: The New Zealand Public Health Report, v.4, no.7, (July 1997), p.49-51 SIEC No: 20010126

This paper outlines the occurrence of suicide & attempted suicide in New Zealand, & identifies those groups at highest risk. For both deaths & hospitalizations, the 15-24 year age group was at highest risk. Males were the most common victims of suicide while attempted suicides were somewhat more likely to occur among females. The identification of youth as a high risk group may assist in the appropriate targeting of resources for intervention efforts. Further work is needed to identify potentially modifiable risk factors, & to design, implement, & evaluate effective interventions. (14 refs.)