A meeting to discuss a sharp rise in Northland's suicide rate has been told it is up to the community to get involved.
There have been 32 suspected suicides in the region this year - almost double the number last year.
Comedian Mike King, who was guest speaker at the meeting in Whangarei, told Morning Report the solution is not just up to health agencies and communities need to step in.
Mr King said the silence around suicide means people feel reluctant to get involved.
