Quick action ‘needed for youth’

Press, 25 May 1989, Page 6

Quick action ‘needed for youth’

Wellington reporter Recent youth suicides in Ashburton have highlighted the need for quicker implementation of the Youth Mental Health Project’s recommendations, according to the National Youth Council spokesman, Mr James Nihoniho. The council yesterday expressed concern at the three suicides in Ashburton. In the report of the Youth Mental Health Project, “Swept Under the Carpet,” 20 recent outbreaks of “suicide virus” or cluster suicides

were referred to. “This is a pattern when a suicide is followed by others in the same school, family, or other social group.” The report called for more training and preparation for such cases. “In a school, pupils, teachers and parents all need counselling and advice. The first 24 hours to 48 hours are critical.” It also said that the feelings of young people in the school community needed to be carefully monitored for up to a year.

The report recommended: ® Young people should be appointed to area health boards and each board should have an adolescent health service development group. © A pilot adolescent health centre should be set up for a five-year trial period. • Health funding agencies should recognise that youth mental health was an integral part of their activities.