Coroner rules messages contributed to schoolboy's death

Michael Powell. Photo / Supplied

A coroner has found "distressing and disturbing" late-night texts were a "significant factor" in the lead-up to the suicide of a 15-year-old boy.

Katikati College student Michael Powell took his life in a toilet block near his Waihi Beach home on April 20 last year.

At an inquest in January, his parents Heather and David told coroner Peter Ryan they believed Michael killed himself after misinterpreting text messages between him and two girls, aged 13 and 14.

The girls discussed a suicide pact and the 13-year-old sent Michael a series of texts, including one that said: "If she's gone then so am I."

In his findings, Ryan said the extent of the "highly charged emotional outpouring" was considerable and the texts caused Michael "extreme anxiety".

At the inquest the Powells asked Ryan to recommend changes to the Telecommunications Act to encourage young people to take texting seriously.

Ryan said any legislative move to ban messages that caused another person distress would be "unworkable".

But he endorsed the Powells' concerns over the content and timing of teen texting.

"Young teenagers especially should not be texting each other late at night," he said. "Not only is this disruptive to their sleep patterns, but it is also conducive to causing emotions to run wild."

Ryan said texting was different from other forms of communication because people could not read body language or interpret a tone of voice.

"These clues to a person's emotional state are not available to someone who simply receives a text message," he said. "For that reason, people who send text messages should carefully consider the effect on the recipient."

Heather Powell said teenagers should be allowed phones only if they were mature enough to understand the consequences of using them and called on parents to take more control.

She said it was also crucial for teens to get help if they received worrying text messages.

"They absolutely have to seek help for their friends; they've got to take it seriously.

"That text could have been sent because the person is in trouble and trying to seek help, or because they are being dramatic. Either way, they have to be addressed. They must tell someone."

Powell said people also needed to be aware not everyone who commits suicide shows "classic" warning signs.

She said Michael was a typical teenager who excelled at school. Powell said Michael was sensitive but was adamant he was not depressed.

Ryan said despite there being no medical evidence Michael was "at least prone to depressive episodes".

Where to get help

* If it's an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111. Or call Youthline 0800 376 633, Lifeline 0800 543 354, Depression Helpline 0800 111 757, What's Up 0800 942 8787 (noon-midnight).

* Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand has more information. Visit: www.spinz.org.nz.

* The Ministry of Health also offers information at www.depression.org.nz.

anna.leask@hos.co.nz