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Suicidal behaviours among adolescents in Aotearoa: data from the Youth2000 series Dr Pete Watson and Dr Sarah Fortune on behalf of The Adolescent Health Research Group, The University of Auckland

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Aim To provide detailed information about suicidal behaviours among the current generation of school students in New Zealand

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Youth2000 Survey Series Designed and carried out by the Adolescent Health Research Group Large, cross-sectional anonymous, self-report survey Conducted in 2001 and 2007

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Survey similarities and differences Branching design Identity & ethnicity Home School Activities Substance use Sexuality Mood and wellbeing Community & spirituality 2001 & 2007 2007 Changes, new issues Nutrition & physical wellbeing Gambling & substance use Community School climate

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Response rates Gender 20012007 SchoolsN = 114 (86%)N = 96 (84%) StudentsN = 9,699 (75%)N = 9,107 (74%) 20012007 Male46%54% Female54%46%

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Participants by Ethnic group 2007

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Serious suicidal thoughts 2007 14% reported serious suicidal thoughts in past 12 months Gender differences prominent Cant compare with 2001

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Serious suicide thoughts by ethnicity 2007

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Suicide plans 2001 & 2007 8.6% students reported a suicide plan in the previous year Females nearly twice as likely as males (11.5% vs. 6.1%) Down from 2001 (10%, 95% CI, 9.1%, 10.9%) to 8.6% (95% CI 7.8%, 9.4%) in 2007

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Suicide plan by ethnicity 2001 & 2007

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Suicide attempts 2001 & 2007 4.7% reported attempted suicide in previous 12 months Female students twice as likely as males (6.7% vs. 2.9) More common in low decile compared with high decile schools (6.8% vs. 3.6%) Nearly one quarter of students who reported a suicide attempt in 2007 did not report serious suicidal thoughts Decrease from 7.8% (95% CI 7.0%, 8.7%) to 4.7% (95% CI 4.1%, 5.3%) in 2007

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Suicide attempts by ethnicity 2001 and 2007

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Exposure to suicide attempts among friends and family/whanau 2001 & 2007 14.7% of all students reported exposure Females more likely (19.8% vs. 10.2%) Similar across the two surveys (2001: 16.9%, 95 CI 15.6%, 18.3% and 2007 14.7%, 95% CI 13.1%, 16.2%).

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Exposure to suicide attempts by ethnicity 2001 & 2007

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Depressive Symptoms RADS-SF questionnaire One in ten students report significant depressive symptoms Females more likely than males Decrease from 12.4% (95% CI 11.5%, 13.3%) in 2001 to 10.6% (95% CI 9.7%, 11.4%) in 2007

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Depressive Symptoms 2001 & 2007

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Protective factors mental and emotional wellbeing 2007 Half of students rate themselves as either good or excellent Males were more likely to report excellent well-being than females (22.6% vs. 13.9%).

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Mental and emotional wellbeing by ethnicity 2007

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Positive relationship with family/whanau 2001 & 2007 Majority of students have at least parent who cares a lot about them (90.3%) Decreased slightly since 2001 (92.7, 95% CI 92.0%, 93.4%) to 90.3% (95% CI 89.6%, 91.1%)

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Safety at school 2001 & 2007 Five in every six students feel safe in school all or most of the time Increases with age but similar across gender and geography Fewer students (78.1%, 95% CI 76.2%, 80.0%) reported feeling safe in school compared with 83.5% in 2007 (95% CI 81.7%, 85.3%)

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Access to health services 2007 16.5% seen health professional for emotional worries in last 12 months More females than males (22.3% vs. 11.5%) Higher help seeking among Maori and Pacific students

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Seen health professional for emotional worries in last 12 months 2007

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Conclusions and reflections Rates of suicidal behaviours among school students remain high and concerning, although they appear to have reduced since 2001 Suicide prevention initiatives continue to have a place in NZ and should be tailored Nearly one quarter of students who reported a suicide attempt in 2007 did not report serious suicidal thoughts enhancing problem solving skills reducing access to means of suicide

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Significant depressive symptoms Good access to effective treatment Long term investment in depression prevention Friends and whanau who are worried about someone close to them need to know how to contact health-care providers Healthcare providers provide a youth- friendly approach.

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Acknowledgements Young people who participated in this study and their family/whanau. Youth07 project team. Youth07 project funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (grant 05/216) Department of Labour Families Commission Accident Compensation Corporation of New Zealand Sport and Recreation New Zealand Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand Ministries of Youth Development, Justice, Health and Te Puni Kokiri. Support for the electronic communication of the Youth07 project was provided by Vodafone New Zealand.