Citation

Beautrais AL, Fergusson DM. Arch. Suicide Res. 2006; 10(2): 159-168.

Affiliation

Christchurch school of Medicine and Health Sciences, Christchurch, New Zealand. suicide@chmeds.ac.nz

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

17342846

Abstract

This article describes patterns of suicide and attempted suicide among the indigenous (Maori) population of New Zealand using official data from the New Zealand Health Information Service (NZHIS). The majority of Maori suicides (75%) occurr in young people aged <35 years. Rates of suicide are higher among Maori males and females aged <25 than in their non-Maori peers. Rates of hospitalization for attempted suicides are higher amongst Maori males aged 15-24, compared to non-Maori. In contrast, suicide is virtually unknown amongst older Maori (60 years). This article reviews explanations for the observed rates of suicide in Maori, and examines approaches to effective intervention to reduce rates of suicide in young Maori.

Language: en