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John Weaver has carried out one of the most comprehensive reviews of suicides in New Zealand after examining over 12,000 coroners’ reports from throughout the last century – 1900 to 2000.
His in-depth research about what is behind New Zealand’s suicide statistics are detailed in his new book Sorrows of a Century, published by Bridget Williams Books.
Weaver writes that in many cases those who committed suicide had experienced stresses beyond their control – economic depressions, wars, accidents and illness.
“A lot of suicides were indictments of culture, society and the economy. They evolve and spin off new variations on timeless sources of unhappiness and trauma, sorrow and rage.”
He says by looking across the past century, rather than looking at individual cases in isolation, it is clear that governments can have a key role in addressing suicide.
History shows that tackling societal issues rather than taking up short-term, low-cost solutions can have a big impact on suicide rates. As an example, “first, New Zealand social security and labour legislation addressed particular forms of troubles and the suicide rates of older men fell. Second, the treatment of the elderly improved, including palliative care.”
Weaver writes: “A grieving father expressed matters: ‘all a parent can do is provide support and a loving stable environment. What society must do is provide hope, employment opportunities and a sense of balance.’”
About the author
John C. Weaver is Distinguished University Professor in the history department at McMaster University and the author of A Sadly Troubled History: The Meanings of Suicide in the Modern Age and The Great Land Rush and the Making of the Modern World, 1650–1900 (both published by McGill-Queen’s University Press).
Bridget Williams Books
Print $59.99 | Ebook $20.00
230 x 150 mm | 456 pages
ISBN 9781927277232
Publication 16 May 2014
Co-published with McGill-Queen's University Press
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