A headteacher has been accused of insensitivity after reportedly describing a pupil’s suicide as an “unacceptable choice” in a letter to parents and students.

Michael Leitch, principal of Karamu High School in New Zealand, said the year-11 student’s death was an “irreversible and unacceptable choice that she made”.

But his comments have been criticised as “deeply disturbing” by mental health champions on social media, who believe the comments further stigmatise depression among young people and could dissuade people from asking for help, according to the Daily Mail Australia.

Suicide prevention advocate Mike King shared the letter to his Facebook page with the caption: “Is this the way we should handle youth suicide?”

He added: “A child who sees no way to escape her pain takes her own life and all she receives from us is blame, shame and judgement.”

But Mr Leitch told the Daily Mail Australia all education practitioners were just trying to “do our very best” for students.

“Every one of us at this school feels deeply for the student and her family and friends, and we do not want the letter to overshadow what they are going through,” he said.

“For those of us facing this sad issue in our schools, we try to do our very best for our students, our families and our community.”

The letter also included signs for parents to watch out for that their child might be suffering from depression, including changes to their normal behaviour, sleep patterns, appetite loss and moodiness.