A leading international expert has condemned a school’s message about the suicide of a 12-year-old student in the same area.
Following the death of the seventh-year student at Santa Sabina College in Sydney’s west, nearby Presbyterian Ladies College advised parents of that year not to discuss the tragedy with their daughters unless “they have raised it with you”.
However, internationally renowned mental health authority Professor Ian Hickie said it was “not very helpful” to try to sweep such tragedies under the carpet.
Professor Hickie, co-director of health and policy at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, said it was counterproductive to ignore what happened or pretend it hadn’t happened.
“Parents, schools and teachers need to be open to conversation and they need to be in these networks that are close to those affected,” she said. The Telegraph newspaper.
‘While it’s fine to also emphasize the positive aspects of life, it’s not as helpful to try to simply overlook or downplay them.’
Presbyterian Ladies College, which is just a couple of suburbs away from Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, warned in a letter to parents of year seven girls that there would “undoubtedly” be social connections between the two schools.
“At this time, we do not plan to speak to our Year 7 students,” the letter said.
A 12-year-old seventh-year student at Sydney’s Santa Sabina College (uniform pictured) has taken her own life.
‘However, I ask you to keep an eye on your daughters, as they may hear the news through friends or on social media.
‘With exams just around the corner, we really want the girls to be calm and focused on their learning.
“That said, if your daughter has been affected by this news, please get in touch with me as we want to support her.”
The school said it planned to take a “positive approach with girls, focusing on finding joy, hope and happiness in their lives by making positive connections and doing things they love.”
Santa Sabina has been offering counseling this week to students, parents and the community at large.
Following the tragedy, Presbyterian Ladies College sent a letter to parents of its Year 7 students saying they should not speak about what happened unless their daughters have raised it.
They have opened the doors of their chapel to everyone.
Students will have the opportunity to write messages and bring flowers over the next few days.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Presbyterian Ladies College for comment.
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