As restrictions due to Covid-19 loomed earlier in the year, there were concerns about the impact of the pandemic and lockdown on people’s mental health in the South.
New police statistics show no substantial rise in mental health callouts.
Between April and June this year, which covers most of the Level 4 lockdown period and aftermath, police were called to 757 mental health or attempts/threatens suicide calls.
Over the corresponding period in 2019 there were 756.
It follows the release of national suicide figures showing a drop in the number of suicides in the year ending June 30.
Nationally, 654 New Zealanders died by suicide, compared with 685 the year before.
In the Southern District Health Board region, 54 people died by suicide, down three from the previous year.
Southern District prevention manager Inspector James Ure said mental health demand did not rise as much as expected but, the impact might not be felt for some time.
"We probably do expect to see increases in responding to, or reports of, mental health-related self-harm or police calls for service," he said.
Queenstown has been one of the areas hit hardest by the economic impacts of the virus.
Senior Sergeant John Fookes, of Queenstown, said police there were not seeing anything beyond the usual level of demand.
"We haven’t got a sense that anything’s particularly changed, to be honest," he said.
"As to what happens in the future, your guess is as good as my guess, but we’re sensitive to the fact that some people will be doing it harder than others. What that causes and how that manifests, I think it’s too early to say."
Chief Coroner Judge Deborah Marshall last week said provisional statistics showed the suicide rate was at its lowest in three years.
Throughout the year there had been "unhelpful and irresponsible" public commentary on what impact Covid-19 would have on the suicide rate, she said.
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