Girl who attempted suicide at Don Dale told inquiry, "dying was better than staying in isolation".

Trigger warning: this post deals with suicide. 

More vulnerable witnesses will give evidence at the Northern Territory juvenile justice royal commission after a girl who was held in Don Dale Detention Centre’s solitary confinement cells said she felt “dying was better than staying in isolation”.

The former detainee, known as AN, told the inquiry on Friday she was hospitalised several times after trying to take her own life.

Kids at risk of self harm were locked up for up to 23 hours per day in unpadded cells and untrained guards were supremely ill-equipped to deal with the trauma-afflicted teenagers in their care.

“They never told me when I would be getting out. The only time they took any notice of me is if I tried to hurt myself,” AN said.

“I just hated being alone at that time and I was feeling angry and hopeless… At that time I would have rather die than stay another minute in that room.”

All levels of the chain of command, from guards to ex politicians, will face questioning during the inquiry's two-week hearing in Darwin.

More youth justice officers will be grilled including former deputy general manager James Sizeland, who allegedly led a "boys club" of guards focused on punishment.

Previous Country Liberals Party government corrections minister John Elferink, who was sacked after footage of boys being tear-gassed was aired on national television, is expected to take the stand.

And former corrections commissioner Ken Middlebrook, who resigned after approving the gassing that sparked the inquiry, will also front the inquiry this week.

Current and former detainees, police, health experts and Aboriginal elders are also due to testify.

If you need support and information about suicide prevention you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.

Local Aboriginal Medical Service is available from www.vibe.com.au.