Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Sad...so very sad...

It's after midnight and I can't sleep, have tried to but had to get up, just couldn't get into deep sleep mode.

There's a lot on my mind weighing heavily...

Matilda phoned me from school at recess this morning to tell me that a Year 11 student had died last night, an apparent suicide. There was an emergency assembly called this morning and the school community was informed. The library was set up as a safe haven for students who needed support, any student who felt they needed to be there was encouraged to do so. Counsellors were at the school by 8am this morning and available to the students all day. I believe this will continue for the rest of the week. The young woman has a brother at the school, his friends had a counselling session to discuss ways to support him.

Such a tragedy, an utter waste of a young life, so much potential just gone. I believe the young woman had been sent home from school yesterday and was intending to discuss a number of important issues with her Mother. The discussion didn't eventuate, instead an argument ensued resulting in the young woman taking her own life. I'm not even sure that ending her life was what she intended to do, rather that she was distressed and needing attention & support. She had to get it some how, ANYHOW...

...so sad, so terribly sad...

My heart goes out to her Mother, her brother, her family.

Rest peacefully Sweetheart...

9 comments:

Kori said...

oh my god, Kerrie, I am just shaking. I don't have the words to express how horrid this is, and my heart and thoughts and prayers go out to ALL of them.

So Not Wishy Washy said...

This is horrific, Kerrie. It's one of my biggest fears. Every year I've taught I've encountered kids who've either attempted or succeeded in taking their own lives. The first suicide I encountered was when I was in high school. One of my classmates went home, sat on his mother's bed, and shot himself in the head.

I will never forget it.

I'm glad that Matilda's school is showing that they have a plan for mourning and support for all of the students involved.

Sending you comfort and hugs from the States. *hard hugs*

watercolordaisy said...

ohno. All are in my prayers. hugs!!

Anonymous said...

How truly, truly tragic. I hope Matilda is dealing with the news constructively, and agree with Wishy is being glad that the school is setting up assistance for their students.

Kelly said...

yes, high school brings these issues . We have had a few expereinces of this and 2 murders as well, its really really difficult to manage and all the time you worry about your own kids mental health and hope and hope and talk and talk in attempts to ensure their safety. Its very very tragic.

Jen said...

I just found out that the second daughter of a family we were close to when growing up has just suicided last week. Her younger sister ended her life last year. Its hard to imagine how a family can deal with 2 suicides, let alone one. They were both girls I knew and played with when we were maybe 7-15. I cant imagine how hard their lives had become to bring them to the decisions they made. That such suffering exists in our communities is depressing. that the subject is taboo is problematic.there should be more general education about the 'early warning signs'. http://www.livingisforeveryone.com.au/IgnitionSuite/uploads/docs/LIFE-Fact%20sheet%2021.pdf

Karin said...

This is so awful. I'm so sorry for the family. My heart goes out to them so much. Please give Matilda a hug from me. ((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))

Lynda said...

This is so sad and such a waste of a precious gift. I hope the children at school get through this well. God bless her family.

CJCACC's Mom said...

How sad, how terribly tragic...

Keeping this family in my thoughts and prayers... Matilda as well.