Kimberley family 'stranded' after death

The family of a 20-year-old Aboriginal man who ended his own life in a remote part of WA's Kimberley region was offered no help to travel to the nearest town where his body had been flown, an inquest has heard.

The man was found by his partner just outside the Wungu Aboriginal Community on January 2015 and flown by police helicopter to Halls Creek, but his family had to get there under their own steam using roads that were dangerous after heavy rainfall.

His case is one of 13 suicides involving young indigenous people in the Kimberley region between November 2012 and March last year that are being examined at the inquest, which resumed in Perth on Monday.

Detective Sergeant Simone Taplin told the inquest the man's family were instructed to take photos of the site where the man took his life and put his body in an air conditioned bedroom before police arrived.

While they did such grim tasks, police did not offer to bring them to Halls Creek after dropping off the body because it was considered the responsibility of the Department of Emergency Services.

Det Sgt Taplin said police could have been more sensitive and culturally aware.

"I believe that we should have made an attempt to bring them back," she said.

The man was diagnosed with failure to thrive at age 18 months and was surrounded by domestic violence in his home.

Distressingly, when he was referred to a school psychologist at age six after he punched two other children, he spoke of hurting himself and when demonstrating a stabbing motion to his stomach, said "I kill myself".

While a plan was made to review him in week eight of the term, there were no further psychological notes on his file.

The WA Coroner's Court heard he frequently argued with his partner and would often threaten to end his life but he didn't seek, nor did anyone else refer him to mental health or counselling services.

The inquest has been extended by one week to conclude on September 15.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Local Aboriginal Medical Service details available from www.bettertoknow.org.au/AMS