Spate of deaths hits mill town

Jordan Gray. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A grief-stricken mother has pleaded for help after her son and nephew were among 13 youths from one small North Island town to die suddenly in just 18 months.

The spate of tragic deaths in the eastern Bay of Plenty has prompted the creation of a new taskforce to make it easier for parents to seek help to prevent suicide.

Michelle Elliott, of Kawerau, buried her 17-year-old son Jordan Gray in October and just last month she was hit by the death of her nephew Harry Peri-Elliott.

"Kawerau is a beautiful community," she said. "We don't know what's happening with our babies."

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board said most of the dead were Maori males aged from 16 to 21. "It's a horror story," said a spokeswoman.

Elliott last saw Jordan, a talented drummer and photographer, the night before he died.

"I said 'how do I look?' and he said 'you look nice'. That was the last thing he said to me."

Jordan's younger sibling found him the next morning. "Seeing him like that was traumatic," said Elliott. "I kept screaming 'why have you done this?' I lost my voice, I couldn't think."

Five more youths died over the next five months.

"There was nobody to talk to about suicide," said Elliott, "and nobody to help families. There's a need in this town."

Kawerau has been hard-hit by the recession and has a large gang presence. The health, justice, social development and education ministries have set up a joint taskforce to tackle youth suicide. Called the Core Clinical Committee, it aims to be a one-stop shop for parents and youths in need, said head Kevan McConnell.

"There seems to be a lack of resilience among young men. They don't have the emotional capability to work through the tough times."

A spokeswoman for Health Minister and local MP Tony Ryall said: "The community itself now has the power and the money to address the issues that they feel most important."

Experts said the reasons for the deaths were complicated.

The mother of Te Haroto Araroa, who died last December, said he had been upset by the death of his father.

"He missed his father dearly and we couldn't help each other through the mourning," said Trixie Hohepa.

"He was under pressure to socialise. We both held him back, we loved him, wanted to protect him but knew he needed to socialise with his age group and cousins.

"It's a hard world out there for our young ones."

Kawerau Mayor Malcolm Campbell said things had "calmed down" after a number of sudden deaths in quick succession at the end of last year.

There was no rhyme or reason to the deaths, he said

"They seem to lose their brains. It's a tragedy. There are no signs there."

Kawerau mother-of-three Jodi Hawe said at least three of her son Rawiri's friends had died in recent months.

"We need to speak to our youth and be really clear and honest about it. Our kids are not dumb. If you put it all on the backburner then they see it as a mystery."

New Zealand's Next Top Model winner Danielle Hayes was raised in the town and has been deeply affected by the deaths.

Many of the dead were friends of hers and she returned last month to draw attention to the problem.

Community-based agency Manna Support Services operates a suicide prevention service funded by Government agency Te Puni Kokiri.

Local co-ordinator Lisa Ranapia said: "In Kawerau we are over-represented in young offenders, teenage pregnancies, and gangs have a huge influence in the town, plus there are no jobs.

"When you put that combination in a pot, something has to give way."

Where to get help

Youthline: Support for young people and their families.

youthline.co.nz, 0800 376 633

Kidsline: Phone counselling for children aged 9 to 13

kidsline.org.nz, 0800 543 754 (4pm to 6pm weekdays)

Whatsup: Counselling for children aged 5-18

Whatsup.co.nz, 0800 942 8787 (noon to midnight)

The Word: Questions answered about sex, life and relationships

theword.org.nz

Depression Helpline: Counsellors who can find the right support for you.

depression.org.nz. 0800 111 757 (8am to midnight)

Rainbow Youth: Support for gay young people and their families

rainbowyouth.org.nz