Today, September 10 marks World Suicide Prevention Day, a time for Coasties and Kiwis nationwide to reflect on New Zealand’s troubling suicide rates, particularly among youth, according to Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey.

“Every death by suicide is a tragedy, and we must do better as a country to address this,” Mr Doocey said.

He highlighted his concerns about the rising levels of distress among young people, adding that the youth suicide rate remains “unacceptably high.”

Speaking in Parliament today, Mr Doocey launched public consultation on the Government’s draft Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025-2029.

With the current plan set to expire at the end of the year, the new draft aims to meet evolving challenges by improving access to prevention support, expanding the suicide prevention workforce, and focusing on early intervention.

The proposed plan, shaped by community feedback, includes clear milestones and accountability measures for lead agencies.

“Your feedback is crucial,” Mr Doocey said, calling for input from those affected by suicide and those working to support them.

While confident the new plan will help prevent future tragedies, Mr Doocey acknowledged that achieving a future with no suicide in New Zealand “will not happen overnight.”