An information kit has been launched to help communities develop their own youth suicide prevention strategies.
"Local communities need to collectively decide the best way for them to approach youth suicide prevention and this resource will walk them through that process," said Youth Affairs Minister Laila Harre.
The Health Funding Authority contributed $50,000 for the kit to be tested in six Northland communities: Dargaville, Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Whangarei, Opononi and Mangonui.
The trial involved a series of workshops over 10 months led by members of the group Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand.
Ms Harre said the kit would be available to all communities.
"It promotes an approach to youth suicide prevention that focuses on the healthy development of young people, but it also alerts us to some of the risk factors and signs that may indicate a young person in crisis."
The kit focused on the whole person rather than the problem, and recognised that culturally appropriate strategies for Maori suicide prevention must be developed, she said.
"Many, many young people have the support they need to find healthy ways of working through their problems.
"But too many see no option other than their death. It's up to us ... to make sure these young people realise that they do have options and that these options are accessible and adequately resourced."
- NZPA
Kit to help prevent suicide of young
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