WELLINGTON, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's first ever Suicide Prevention Office has been opened on Wednesday to fight against persistently high rate of suicide.
The new office is a crucial part of the Wellbeing Budget's record investment in mental health and addiction, which included 40 million New Zealand dollars on suicide prevention, said New Zealand Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern.
Health Minister David Clark said the Suicide Prevention Office will galvanise work towards making New Zealand a better place for all to thrive.
"I believe together we can, and will, fix this long-term challenge and make New Zealand the best place in the world to grow up and live, where people know there is always someone to reach out to and get help," said Clark.
New frontline mental health and addiction services are also proposed alongside the suicide prevention services across New Zealand.
Mental health has become an increasingly severe problem in the country, with 685 New Zealanders believed to have taken their lives through suicide last year.
The government announced a Wellbeing Budget early this year focusing on tackling mental health problems across the country.
