Health promotion plan
Suicide is defined by the World Health Organization as the act of deliberately killing oneself. It affects individuals most frequently among those aged 15-44 years. Risk factors include undiagnosed and untreated depression, alcohol or substance abuse, family history, previous suicide attempt. Another major risk factor psychologists have recognised for some time that a person's occupation shows a significant role. Suicide rates have tended to be remarkably high in professions that provide easy access to lethal drugs and poisons among medical practitioners, guns or open water, such as in military, farming and maritime careers.
Worldwide, approximately one million die by suicide each year this is based on the data from the World Health Organization. This corresponds to one death by suicide every 40 seconds. In New Zealand, every year approximately 500 New Zealanders die by suicide; more than the number who die in road traffic crashes. Five times as many people will be hospitalised after making an attempt on their life (Ministry of Health in press).
While suicide disproportionally affects young adults, approximately 80 percent of suicides now occur in the 25 years and over age group (Beautrais et al 2005). Those who live in the most deprived areas of New Zealand have higher rates of suicide and hospitalisation for suicide attempts than those living in the least deprived areas. There are also gender disparities, with more males dying by suicide than females, yet more females are hospitalised for suicide attempts than males (Ministry of Health in press).
Another high risk group are the professionals, wherein physicians are among the top suicidal. There are several studies recommended that physicians have a higher rate of attempting and committing suicide. In general population, the overall prevalence of suicide is 1-2%; however, in physicians this rate can be as high as 2- 4%. Among the top 5 professions where most likely to kill themselves are physicians,
Worldwide, approximately one million die by suicide each year this is based on the data from the World Health Organization. This corresponds to one death by suicide every 40 seconds. In New Zealand, every year approximately 500 New Zealanders die by suicide; more than the number who die in road traffic crashes. Five times as many people will be hospitalised after making an attempt on their life (Ministry of Health in press).
While suicide disproportionally affects young adults, approximately 80 percent of suicides now occur in the 25 years and over age group (Beautrais et al 2005). Those who live in the most deprived areas of New Zealand have higher rates of suicide and hospitalisation for suicide attempts than those living in the least deprived areas. There are also gender disparities, with more males dying by suicide than females, yet more females are hospitalised for suicide attempts than males (Ministry of Health in press).
Another high risk group are the professionals, wherein physicians are among the top suicidal. There are several studies recommended that physicians have a higher rate of attempting and committing suicide. In general population, the overall prevalence of suicide is 1-2%; however, in physicians this rate can be as high as 2- 4%. Among the top 5 professions where most likely to kill themselves are physicians,