The state coroner of Western Australia in Perth has opened an inquest into a string of indigenous youth suicides.  It will be one of the largest inquests in Australia, and futures hearings will reach out to those communities in Broome, Kununurra, Halls Creek, and Fitzroy Crossing.

Officials expressed their condolences to the families of the 13 young people who took their lives between November 2012 and March 2016 in the Kimberley region.  Five of the kids were aged just ten to 13-years, including last year's death of the ten-year old girl in the Looma community which caused such grief across Australia.

Over the years, government and non-governmental agencies produced 40 reports about suicide in indigenous communities, and the problem still isn't going away.

"It is simply unacceptable that this should happen," said Philip Urquhart, the counsel assisting the coroner.  "There has been no solution to this problem that has now reached disturbing proportions.

"There has been no solution to this problem that has now reached disturbing proportions," he continued.  "Is it now time to accept that a radical approach needs to be taken?"

The children had been exposed to alcohol abuse and domestic violence in the home, sexual abuse, had poor school attendance, and - for whatever reason - didn't seek mental health counseling.

Officials will talk about how fetal alcohol syndrome could be playing a role in youth suicides later this week.