The Mental Health Commission has released a frightening report, 'National Indiciators 2011’, notifying high female youth suicide rate in New Zealand as compared to any other OECD country, claimed an improvement in New Zealand's suicide death rate since the mid-1990s.

On the other hand, male population, aged 15-24, is observed to have third worst suicide rate, followed by Iceland and Finland. In addition, the Mental Health Commission has claimed that approximately 21% of adults experience mental illness in a 12-month period. Further, New Zealand's suicide rates overall have dropped lower than what was experienced in the mid-1980s.

While commenting on the findings, Chairwoman Commissioner Dr. Lynne Lane said that around 86% of the population is satisfied with its life. Further, the report has revealed that the proportion of the population accessing secondary mental health as well as addiction services has increased from 2.2% in 2002-03 to 2.7% in 2008-09.

"When you look at the information on life satisfaction compared with other countries we are doing pretty well. And when you look at suicide rates they are trending down, however we still have the highest rates in the OECD for young women and that is a huge concern”, added Dr. Lynne Lane.