Key Takeaways:
- A coroner’s inquiry into the deaths of six Northland youths has led to recommendations for changes to the suicide response in the region.
- The coroner has called for a single care pathway with a kaiārahi navigator role to support at-risk youth and their families.
- Te Whatu Ora has rejected some of the recommendations, citing funding issues, but the Minister for Mental Health has expressed his expectation that the recommendations be taken seriously.
- The Government’s suicide prevention action plan aims to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention support, grow a workforce able to support those at risk, and strengthen focus on prevention and early intervention.
- Families of the deceased youths have spoken out about the need for improved support and services, and the importance of implementing the coroner’s recommendations.
Introduction to the Issue
In recent years, Northland has experienced a high number of youth suicides, with 2018 and 2020 being particularly devastating. In response to this, Coroner Tania Tetitaha held an inquiry into the deaths of six youths from a recent cluster, including Hamuera Ellis-Erihe, James Patira Murray, Summer Metcalfe, Martin Loeffen-Romagnoli, Ataria Heta, and Maaia Marshall. The inquiry aimed to identify the factors that contributed to these tragic events and make recommendations for improving the suicide response in the region.
The Inquiry’s Findings
The inquiry heard evidence that the six youths were all involved with multiple agencies, but their files were often closed without follow-up, and there were issues with information-sharing. This led to disengagement, gaps in services, and no follow-up to ensure the youths had exited treatment effectively. The coroner’s findings highlighted the need for a more coordinated approach to supporting at-risk youth, including the creation of a single care pathway with a kaiārahi navigator role. This role would provide a single point of contact for families and youths, helping to navigate the complex system of services and ensure that they receive the support they need.
Te Whatu Ora’s Response
Te Whatu Ora, the agency responsible for delivering health services in the region, responded to the coroner’s recommendations by rejecting some of them, citing funding issues. The agency stated that implementing the kaiārahi role would require significant further resources and would impact existing services. However, the Minister for Mental Health, Matt Doocey, has expressed his expectation that the recommendations be taken seriously and has made it clear that funding is available to support the implementation of the coroner’s recommendations.
Government’s Commitment to Suicide Prevention
The Government has committed to improving access to suicide prevention and postvention support, growing a workforce able to support those at risk, and strengthening focus on prevention and early intervention. The Minister for Mental Health has stated that every New Zealander should have access to mental health support, and that the Government’s suicide prevention action plan aims to achieve this goal. The plan includes initiatives such as increasing funding for mental health services, improving access to crisis support, and providing education and training for healthcare professionals.
Families’ Perspectives
The families of the deceased youths have spoken out about the need for improved support and services. Carmen Heta, the mother of Ataria Heta, has expressed her support for the kaiārahi role and has urged agencies to take on board the coroner’s recommendations. Paula Mills, the mother of Summer Metcalfe, has also spoken out about the need for improved support, including more anti-bullying programs and emotional intelligence education in schools. Both mothers have emphasized the importance of implementing the coroner’s recommendations to prevent further tragedies.
Conclusion
The coroner’s inquiry into the deaths of six Northland youths has highlighted the need for a more coordinated approach to supporting at-risk youth. The recommendations made by the coroner, including the creation of a single care pathway with a kaiārahi navigator role, are crucial to preventing further tragedies. The Government’s commitment to improving access to suicide prevention and postvention support is a positive step, but it is essential that the recommendations are implemented in a timely and effective manner. The families of the deceased youths have spoken out about the need for improved support, and it is essential that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed. By working together, we can create a system that provides the support and services that at-risk youth need to thrive.