A RATEPAYER-financed Newcastle youth magazine has sparked controversy with its latest edition that jokes about self-harm and suicide.
The Loft Youth Venue's InZine publication includes features on where young people can get help for depression and other mental health problems.
But its graphic and provocative editorials, cartoons and word puzzles have sparked outrage with a Newcastle City councillor describing it as "irresponsible".
Cr Helene O'Neill said yesterday community members had raised concerns, which she shared, about the publication.
Two mental health support groups said they would be contacting the Loft to speak to those involved in the magazine's production about its subject matter and presentation.
Newcastle City Council said yesterday the material, which expressed the opinions of the authors only, was intended to address difficult subjects.
Acting general manager Graham Clarke apologised if any reader was offended by the contents.
Some of the most controversial features include a "razor blade cut 'n' play" cartoon clip-out; an "emo find-a-word" with clues such as blood, depressed, noose and razor blade; and a "reason to kill yourself" cartoon series.
Other pages give directions on when "What if I feel like crap?" or helping someone with depression, to contact services such as Kids Help Line and beyondblue.
Cr O'Neill, who works with young athletes as a rugby league development officer, said she believed the magazine sent the wrong message.
"It's the most irresponsible publication when you talk about the high rate of youth suicide," she said.
"If you start putting out books like that when someone perhaps is a little bit confused and they pick up a book like that you're going to have blood on your hands."
Cr O'Neill said she was particularly concerned the magazine was council-endorsed.
"Ratepayers have a right to know where their money is going. If it's going into publications like that you've got to say what better things could we be doing with our monies," she said.
Mr Clarke said an editorial committee of young people and council staff reviewed the content of InZine and would not publish material which they deemed to be offensive.
"The opinions expressed in InZine do not reflect council's opinions or those of any individual other than the authors themselves," Mr Clarke said.
He said one of the purposes of the Loft Youth Venue was to provide an avenue for young people to talk about difficult issues and humour, no matter how dark, could be an icebreaker to addressing these issues.
"However, I apologise if any reader is offended by the contents of the latest edition," he said.
Mr Clarke said the theme for the latest edition was negativity. The next issue, which is scheduled for release in September, is titled Positivity.