Warning - this story discusses suicide.
The Auditor-General's report released this week found children and young people in care were four times more likely than their peers to attempt suicide. Photo: RNZ/Michelle Tiang
Advocates for children and youth in care are calling for mental health training for all Oranga Tamariki caregivers in the wake of the Auditor-General's report this week.
The report - Meeting the mental health needs of young New Zealanders - found children and young people in care were four times more likely than their peers to attempt suicide, and twice as likely to report symptoms of depression.
Ihorangi Reweti-Peters, who was in state care from the age of 10, said Oranga Tamariki failed to keep him safe when he repeatedly tried to end his life.
"I had a social worker tell me that if I really wanted to kill myself, I would just go out and do it, and not tell anyone.
"It's shocking that so many young people in care are struggling on a daily basis with suicidal ideation and mental illness, and yet the state is not intervening and providing the support we need."
Reweti-Peters, who left Oranga Tamariki care in October last year, is now a spokesperson for VOYCE (Voice Of the Young and Care Experienced) - Whakarongo Mai, a national independent advocacy organisation for children and young people in care.
He said free access to mental health support should be a given, but "especially for any young person with a care experience".
VOYCE is calling for counselling services to be "free and mandatory" for all tamariki and rangatahi entering state care, and support should be offered as a matter of course to all young people in care, rather than waiting to respond when things reach a crisis point.
It was not acceptable that Oranga Tamariki did not give mental health training to all staff and caregivers, Reweti-Peters said.
"They say that it's too hard, but really we are dealing with the most vulnerable rangatahi, tamariki, pēpē and whānau and mental health needs to be at the centre of their [Oranga Tamariki] inductions and training."
VOYCE chief executive Tracie Shipton said it was "heartening" to see the Office of the Auditor General putting the focus on young people in care.
"[However] it is disappointing and frustrating to read about the lack of communication and information sharing between services who are all meant to support young people. If we don't make real changes to inter agency communication, we risk reading about the lack of it in a coroner's report," she said.
The organisation was urging government departments to prioritise the recommendations in the report, she said.
"We stand ready to support agencies with the appropriate inclusion of care experienced youth voices."
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: free counselling for 5 to 19 years old, online chat 11am-10.30pm 7days/week or free phone 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 11am-11pm Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm or text 832 Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi and English.
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
OUTLine: 0800 688 5463 (6pm-9pm)
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.