Police confirm suicide of learner at local school
"This office wishes to create awareness of the signs and risks that might help to prevent such a tragedy in future."
Krugersdorp Police have released a statement confirming that a 16-year-old learner from a Kagiso school committed suicide at a school in Krugersdorp on Wednesday, 2 May.
The Grade 10 learner was found at about 9.15am and police are investigating the matter.
Also Read: Suicide rate haunts Gauteng
Captain Appel Ernst, spokesperson for the West Rand Cluster Police, said the death of any person, whether adult, teenager or child, should be prevented.
“Therefore this office wishes to create awareness of the signs and risks that might help to prevent such a tragedy in future.”
Lieutenant Colonel Watson, Health and Wellness officer for the psychological services of the police, gave the following tips that might help prevent suicide:
Warning signs
• Talking about death or suicide in general.
• Being obsessed with death or ways to die.
• Communicating the desire to die or to kill themselves.
• Expressing feelings of distress, being irritated and agitated.
• Communicating that he/ she is a burden to others.
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs.
• Reckless behaviour – risking his/ her life by doing dangerous things or playing dangerous games.
• Sleeping too little or too much.
• Withdrawing from friends and family or expressing feelings of isolation.
• Displaying extreme mood swings.
• Drastic changes in behaviour.
• Accepting bullying, victimisation or humiliation on social media and/ or by their own friends.
Risk factors that might trigger suicide
• Psychological illnesses, such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety.
• Previous suicide attempts.
• Problems at school or with the law.
• Breaking up of relationships (romantic, family or friendship).
• Unexpected pregnancy and/ or sexually transmitted diseases.
• A stressful family life – parents suffering from depression, parents abusing substances, conflict in the family, family history of suicide or abuse.
• Loss of security – fear of authority, peers, bullies at school or home or gang members.
• Stress due to new situations, such as changing schools, going to university or relocating to a new community/ area/ province/ country.
• Failing at school, failing an important test/ exam and the fear of failing exams or tests before the results are known.
• Injuring another person seriously or causing another person’s death.
• Major loss of a loved one, home, security, status and the traumatic experience of a divorce, and any other cause of trauma.
• Cyber-bullying or being victimised, even by their friends on social media.
• Emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
• Poor relationships with parents, peers and social isolation.
• Dealing with bisexuality or homosexuality in an unsupportive or hostile environment at school, home or in the community.
• Experiencing adoption as a crisis and developing negative feelings about it.
If you are aware that your teenagers are going through a difficult time, do not be scared to talk about their emotions, experience or even suicide.
What can parents do?
• Never trivialise their children’s emotions or experiences.
• Be aware of your children’s environment, whereabouts and what they are dealing with.
• Pay attention – suicide talk is not idle talk, nor is it attention-seeking behaviour.
• Take talk about suicide or death seriously – do not be afraid to discuss suicide as a topic.
• Set reasonable goals for your children, praise them when they have achieved the goals and motivate them if they are not doing well.
• Be aware of what is happening on social media in respect of your child.
Nothing in this world is more precious than life, which is why there are institutions standing by to assist any people who feel that they have no other option than taking their own life.
The police have trained Hostage and Suicide Negotiators who are available 24/7 and can be contacted through any police station or on the Crime Stop Number – 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line – 32211. LifeLine has a 24-hour Helpline – 0800 12 13 14, where support is also given without prejudice.
The Krugersdorp Police wish to extend their condolences to the bereaved parents and family of the deceased.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.I
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