Expert says suicide deaths 'appeared to have had fractured family relationships'

Last year five Kawerau  teenagers aged between 16 and 20 died from apparent-self-inflicted injuries between October 2010 and February 2011

A suicide expert, Dr Candy Cookson Cox, told the joint inquest yesterday there were similarities between the deaths but no direct link.

"All five appeared to have had fractured family relationships and suffered from emotional fragility, and were likely to have had undiagnosed mental health issues" Dr Cox said.

"My  research into the mill towns globally had found that when a place such as Kawerau - based on a single industry - declines, there can be community dysfunction."

A mother  of one of the teenagers said she disagrees witth what the 'Expert'  has said.

"She does not know us, she does not know my son, she does not know our situation" She says.

"But however, I do support the fact that this is a step forward witch I am pleased and hopefully this inquest will be able to help many other communities that go through this tragic time"

Community support groups have been set up in Kawerau following the high number of deaths.

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