Editorial: Discussion on suicide important

For years, journalists were told that they could not report on suicides.

Death by suicide was generally referred to as "no suspicious circumstances".

Government health advisers feared that the mere mention of the word suicide in the mainstream media would trigger more deaths.

Times have changed and the discussion about this difficult subject, particularly its impact on young people, is now more open, although within sensible limits.

The fact is, social media and texting gives teenagers 24-7 access to their own viral-like conversations about suicide or thoughts and feelings which edge individuals toward the extreme.

There is such a swathe of youth-focused media and teenage conversation in the virtual world, that we are kidding ourselves if we think that what newspapers and newspaper websites publish has all that much impact on their behaviour.

Rampant texting, along with misuse of drugs, abetted the downward spiral of Hastings teenager Corey Adams, ending in his death in June.

Corey's mother Cherie Adams bravely spoke to media about the harrowing events that led to the loss of her son after Coroner Chris Devonport ruled some discussion of the case would be in the public interest.

Mrs Adams noted that there are all sorts of issues happening in the lives of teenagers, particularly boys, and that depression is common.

But it was not until after Corey's death that she learnt about his text messaging to drug dealers and the tone and extent of his text conversations.

The coroner had forbidden publication of the manner of Corey's death and that is an appropriate ruling.

However, in allowing some conversation about the case he has given Mrs Adams the opportunity to try to save something from a true tragedy.

Mrs Adams says it is unbelievable that there is no dedicated unit offering assistance for depressed and struggling teenagers in Hawke's Bay.

Corey's story may be the catalyst to eventually fix that. That would honour his memory.