WellSouth wants the public to share their experiences and perspectives as it works on a suicide prevention plan.
The primary health network is holding workshops for the Southern Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2024-27 this month and is also running an anonymous online survey.
Mental health clinical services manager Jodie Black said there were broad factors in suicide prevention, such as good family relationships, secure housing, stable employment, community support and connectedness, and a secure cultural identity.
WellSouth wanted to know more: "That’s why we are holding workshops across Southland and Otago — to connect with community organisations who may be involved in suicide prevention or ‘postvention’ in their community.
"That local voice will help us understand the needs and priorities of our Southern communities."
It was heartening to see the number of suspected suicides in the region had fallen.
"It’s too early to account for why, especially as this was during Covid and lockdowns."
Recent figures released by the NZ Office of the Coroner showed that for the 2022-23 financial year, 565 people died of suspected suicide in New Zealand, including 37 Southerners.
In the financial year ending in 2022, the number of suspected suicides in Southern was 38.
That was "markedly lower" than the year before, when the figure was 55.
Southern rates per 100,000 people matched the national average, WellSouth said in a statement.
The action plan would help organisations and government agencies understand what actions they could take to prevent suicides and would also highlight what services and work were already available.
The plan was set to be released in early 2024.
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