• Full Story

Flavell criticised for suicide comments

Email
Print

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:31a.m.

Suicide prevention groups and other MPs are furious

Suicide prevention groups and other MPs are furious

Maori Party MP Te Ururoa Flavell's being urged to learn more about suicide before he "opens his mouth."

The MP has suggested suicide victims should be buried at the cemetery gates and condemned rather than having their lives celebrated.

But suicide prevention groups and other MPs are furious including the Progressive Party's Jim Anderton, whose daughter took her own life.

Mr Flavell says he did not mean to upset people, but simply wanted to raise awareness of the problem.

RadioLIVE

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

26 Aug 2011 03:55p.m.

kay taylor wrote:

That was very callous and insensitive I deal with distraught and upset family and after all there is only a grave left to visit after an event. Shame on you public appology needed

28 Jul 2011 06:22p.m.

samantha wrote:

Cyril - I lost my brother to suicide - he had depression, NOT a bad hair day or a failed exam! .... I think it is very brave of you to state that "all teenagers go through a period of thinking the world is against them" I never did and a lot of my friends were the same. Some people need help and support from the people around them AND the community - the stigma that is attached to the word suicide is enough for anyone with a mental illness to hide it and try and try deal with their issues on their own... my brother did, and look where he is now. That was 17 years ago and I see changes in the social stigma attached to mental illness now - however, all it takes is a flippant remark from someone in high social standing to unravel all of the good work of the campaigns out there that are designed to help those in need, reach out. Until you have REALLY dealt with Mental Illness in your life - for yourself or your loved ones - I don't feel you are qualified to comment.

28 Jul 2011 12:24p.m.

cyril wrote:

I agree with him. all teenages go through a period when they think the world is against them whether its because they are fat or the colour of there hair or a more tragic reasons. Teens arnt known for there deep thinking and are likely to do whatever is fashionable at the time they dont think of the consequences. I have known of teens to kill themselves for a lot of what in reality are trivial reasons. A lot of teens run round saying the stupid line of "live fast die young leave a good looking corpse". That is all it takes to put ideas in there heads and they are easily swayed, you only need to look at the number of young muslems becoming suicide bombers, you dont think they really put a lot of thought into it or why are the older ones not doing it.

28 Jul 2011 11:19a.m.

Frances2468 wrote:

A shocking remark to make by a politician,with the impac of drugs and alcohol somebody not doing their job this inturn creates depression then means no turning back without the proper supports. I believe the politicians have stuffed up and should be held responcible for the suicides and now allowing kronic being sold to our kids.
To bury our kids at the gateway Kia Tupato but once again you have allowed your mouth to overide your head eg. creating the split between the maori politions.
Politicians