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Calls on WA government to take action on youth suicide

A group in Western Australia is calling on Premier Colin Barnett and WA Health Minister Kim Hames to take action on youth suicide.

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A group in Western Australia is calling on Premier Colin Barnett and WA Health Minister Kim Hames to take action on youth suicide.

It says funding isn't reaching grass roots programs, and the Noongar community hasn't seen any benefits.

NITV News spoke to Robert Eggington from Perth's Dumbatung Aboriginal Corporation about action the group is taking.

"During the past month here in Perth we've had in excess of ten deaths due to suicide," Mr Eggington told NITV.

"It's across the whole state. The suicide rates are now been declared for Aboriginal people to be the highest in the world. And that is something the Australian society and the governments must take stock of.

"They're never reported in the media. They're certainly no spoken about out in the open by religious groups or politicians. But we hear about these deaths.

"We believe at Dumbatung that the state coroner and the state governments are hiding the statistics because if people were aware of what the true statistics are in terms of Aboriginal suicide and in particular youth suicide, I'm sure there would be an outcry right across this nation.

Mr Eggington said the group hopes that Closing the Gap funding through mental health will reach their community-based initiative programs.

"What we're saying to Colin Barnett and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Peter Collier is that it's really important that you be at this meeting.

"And if you've got humanity and you've got your heart in the right place, well then don't make up excuses in terms of your diary won't allow you to meet because you're too busy on other issues, while our people die out there."

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Sane Helpline on 1800 187 263 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.


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