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Introduction
Globally, suicide is among the top 20 leading causes of death for all ages. Each year, almost one million people die from suicide (World Health Organization, 2011). In Aotearoa New Zealand, approximately 500 New Zealanders die by suicide every year, an average of ten deaths per week (Ministry of Health, 2013). In 2011, there were 2,647 admissions to hospital (that lasted more than 48 hours) for suicide attempts in Aotearoa New Zealand, which equated to 61.1 hospitalisations per 100,000 population (age standardised) (Ministry of Health, 2014). Over their lifetime, 15.7 per cent of New Zealanders will experience suicidal ideation, 5.5 per cent will make a suicide plan and 4.5 per cent will attempt suicide (Oakley Browne et al. , 2006).
Suicide deaths of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand occur at a lower rate in comparison to the population as a whole, yet Pacific peoples have higher rates of suicidal ideation, suicide plans and suicide attempts than all other ethnic groups in Aotearoa New Zealand (Oakley Browne et al. , 2006). In fact, Pacific peoples reported a 12-month prevalence of suicide attempts that was three times the rate of the general population (Oakley Browne et al. , 2006). Moreover, Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand have higher rates of mental disorder than the general population yet, are less likely to access mental health services than all other New Zealanders (25.0 per cent compared with 58.0 per cent of New Zealanders overall) (Ministry of Health, 2008).
This is further implicated with differences between the Aotearoa New Zealand born (NZ-born) Pacific population and those who have migrated from the Pacific, aged 18 years and older. For instance, the NZ-born Pacific population have higher rates of suicide planning and attempts than Pacific peoples who migrated to Aotearoa New Zealand as adults (Oakley Browne et al. , 2006). This suggests that issues around acculturation play a major role and is an area in need of further investigation (Tiatia, 2003, 2012).
In 2011, there were 24 suicides among Pacific peoples (15 males and females) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Suicides are rare for those over the age of 40 years. In the same year, there were 96 intentional self-harm hospitalisations (that lasted more than 48 hours) (Ministry of Health, 2014)....