Inpatient mental health support is out of reach for youth in Northland – instead needing to travel as far as Starship Hospital in Auckland to get treatment.
Content warning: This article discusses sensitive topics relating to mental and suicide
Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad has been working with youth in Te Tai Tokerau and said many told her mental health issues were growing in their region.
"They've said, 'understand our needs, our desires and our wants'. Without that understanding right now, innocence and lives are being lost to darkness."
Youth Space is a charity that provides free health care and social support to young people up to 25 years old. Clinical nurse lead Rachel McGillan said many patients are struggling.
"There's not a day I don't have somebody who is talking about their suicide risk factors."
A coroner's report released in December 2025 into a suicide cluster in Northland found many issues with whānau trying to access mental health support.
One factor cited was that many agencies were involved in suicide prevention, making it confusing and difficult for those seeking help.
Coroner Tania Tetitaha said children were being lost in the system.
In response this week, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced $1.7 million a year to fund an acute inpatient respite service and three extra suicide prevention coordinator roles for the region.
"That will give young people and their families a choice around inpatient crisis support," he said.
'I truly hope... others avoid this horrific nightmare'
Paula Mills' daughter Summer died, aged just 15.
The grieving mother told 1News she was relieved the hard mahi and children's voices had been heard.
"Our children were failed by this system and all its brokenness, and I truly hope this will help others to not go through this horrific nightmare."
She thanked the coroner and Doocey for trying to make a difference. "It's a great start but so much more still to do."
A new workforce will be required to set up the respite service.
Te Whatu Ora's National Director of Māori Services Selah Hart said a major focus of the extra three suicide prevention coordinator roles will be to streamline the support process.
"To make sure that no one falls through the gaps as tragically as those six rangatahi back in 2018-2020."
The coroner's 2025 report also recommended adequate funding for schools to employ social workers and counsellors.
Secondary Principal's Association president Louise Ānaru said it was crucial to get students the right help, "so that we can employ staff to better triage, address the needs, provide the support and then refer on to the lead health agencies externally".
Rachel McGillan is keen to see what ages will be covered by the impatient service, stressing youth aged 19 to 25 that walked through the doors of Youth Space needed equal support.
"It's an opportunity that I hope can bring some clarification around that and can really show change, these lives matter and the loss of one life is one life too many."
The new mental health respite service is scheduled be fully operational by September 2027.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including news about a New Zealander on the virus stricken cruise ship, and Sir David Attenborough speaks about his 100th birthday. (Source: 1News)
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