The six youths were all involved with several agencies, and evidence was heard at the inquiry that their files were often closed by the agencies without follow-up, and that there were issues with information-sharing. <\/p>\n
This led to disengagement, gaps in services and no follow-up to ensure the rangatahi had exited treatment effectively.<\/p>\n
Frontline services in Northland working with the teens included child and adolescent mental health service Te Roopu Kimiora, Fusion, which is a collaboration of agencies that identify at-risk youth, addiction services Rubicon and the suicide prevention team, which works with wh\u0101nau who have recently lost someone to suicide.<\/p>\n
The suicides of Northland teenagers Ataria Heta, Summer Mills-Metcalf, Hamuera Ellis-Erihe and James Murray were investigated by the coroner.<\/p>\n
Many of the teens were also working with Oranga Tamariki, ACC, counsellors or their GP, depending on their own needs. <\/p>\n
A key recommendation<\/a> the coroner made, particularly for the north, was a single care pathway with a kai\u0101rahi navigator role to take the lead for wh\u0101nau and at-risk rangatahi.<\/p>\n However, Te Whatu Ora responded that although Te Roopu Kimiora<\/a> had since been bolstered by more staff, the kai\u0101rahi role was unworkable due to funding issues.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is because significant further resources would be required to implement the role in its current form. This would require the cessation of current roles which would impact existing services,\u201d the agency said in response.<\/p>\n Te Whatu Ora also rejected the coroner\u2019s recommendation for an in-depth nationwide youth suicide data collection project, again claiming funding was not available.<\/p>\n But the Minister for Mental Health, Matt Doocey, told NZME that Health New Zealand had assured him changes had been made since the deaths of the six teens.<\/p>\n He rejected the idea that there was no funding available and made it clear his expectation was for the coroner\u2019s recommendations to be taken seriously.<\/p>\n \u201cI have raised with officials that I strongly disagree with any suggestion that there is no funding available,\u201d Doocey said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe mental health ringfence funding has increased by around $200 million each budget since coming into Government.<\/p>\n \u201cI am very clear that where a need is identified, funding must go towards that region or initiative, particularly when it comes to suicide prevention.<\/p>\n \u201cI expect Health New Zealand to take the Coroner\u2019s recommendations seriously and make the best possible decisions on whether to implement them, that includes new roles.\u201d<\/p>\n The minister said every New Zealander should have access to mental health support.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is non-negotiable for me.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the Government\u2019s suicide prevention action plan aimed 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.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery single life lost to suicide is one too many. I feel deeply for the friends, families, and loved ones who have to deal with the grief of losing someone to suicide. Losing a child truly is every parent\u2019s worst nightmare,\u201d he told NZME.<\/p>\n \u201cI expect that Health New Zealand will utilise this action plan within the regions, including in Northland.\u201d<\/p>\n Following the release of the findings, Alex Pimm, group director of operations for Health New Zealand Te Tai Tokerau, said they were committed to high-quality mental health and addiction care for the Te Tai Tokerau community.<\/p>\n \u201cWe acknowledge the Coroner\u2019s report and will give priority to considering the recommendations,\u201d Pimm said in a statement to NZME.<\/p>\nMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey said he disagrees with the suggestion there is no funding available. Photo \/ NZME<\/p>\n
Alex Pimm, group director of operations for Health New Zealand Te Tai Tokerau, said they were working with the national action plan and will consider the coroner’s recommendations. Photo \/ Denise Piper<\/p>\n