Latest statistics show a small increase in suicide for adults and a very slight decrease in youth suicide.
In 2010, 522 people took their own lives, up from 510 deaths in 2009.
There was one less youth suicide, with 113 teenagers dying in 2010.
Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne says the suicide rate is lower than the peak in 1998 when 577 people died by suicide.
He says the Government is developing a new four-year suicide prevention action plan, which should be released early next year.
