Warning: This story discusses suicide.
A Hawke's Bay gang member has shared his anguish after another suspected suicide within his community.
Black Power member Denis O'Reilly's friend Petera Smith died in hospital early this morning, after some time on life support.
- Jacinda Ardern defends refusal to set suicide prevention target
- Suicide prevention group calls for change from Government
- New Zealand's suicide statistics increase on last year
O'Reilly wrote in an opinion piece for Hawke's Bay Today it was a heartbreaking loss.
"Another fine young Māori man left us, maumau tangata ki te po.
"We all stand bereft, dazed, like parents and whānau nationwide in similar circumstances, asking ourselves how we could better have responded to his dilemma?"
O'Reilly told Hawke's Bay Today Smith's death is one of nine sudden deaths in five months within the Hawke's Bay gang community, and he believes the majority of them are due to suicide.
New Zealand's provisional suicide statistics rose again this year, going from 668 in 2017/18 to 685 in 2018/19.
Advocates and experts are calling on the Government to implement a plan to turn the tide around and implement a new suicide prevention plan. The last one expired in 2016.
"They'll have a suicide prevention plan that is overdue and the authorities need to recognise the urgency of the matter. This needs to be a top priority," Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust Chair Corinda Taylor told Newshub.
Health Minister David Clark said a new plan will be released within the coming weeks, but he can't guarantee a quick fix.
"We make no apology for tackling the long term challenge that we have inherited."
Where to find help and support:
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
- Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
- Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Newshub.
