October 29, 2012
Māori leaders have role in suicide prevention
The chief coroner wants Northland Māori leaders to help tackle the region's high suicide rate.
Judge Neil MacLean says so far this year a record 32 suspected suicides in Northland have been reported to him, almost double the 17 recorded in 2011.
Fifteen of the 32 were people who identified themselves as Maori, and 12 were in the 10 to 19 age range.
Judge MacLean says a sense of alienation and disassociation, which were prevalent among Northland Māori, could contribute to the risk of suicide.
The Northland District Health Board has employed a suicide prevention co-ordinator, and it is also collaborating with Child Youth and Family, Ngati Wai, Ngati Hine and Group Special Education Service to tackle teen suicides.
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