A private school has been left in shock after one of its students committed suicide, prompting the headmaster to urge parents to stay “connected” with their children following the tragedy.
Wesley College principal Nick Evans sent an email to parents of students attending the prestigious Melbourne school on Thursday afternoon.
The campus director announced the sad news to his colleagues on Thursday.
In Mr. Evan’s email, he said the school was thinking about the boy’s family and friends.
“Today and in the coming weeks, you may be concerned about your child’s reaction or expression of feelings to this news, even from a distance,” she wrote.
‘We also encourage you to let your young person know that you are aware of the incident and will listen to their concerns any time they wish to share them.
‘Staying connected and engaged with your young person is one of the best ways to support them.’
A student at Melbourne’s prestigious Wesley College (pictured) took his own life
The principal said there were “two important messages” that parents should “promote.”
Mr Evan said the first thing is that people need to ask for help “when we feel down or vulnerable” and secondly that students should tell an adult if they are worried about one of their friends.
When news of the tragedy broke, several other Melbourne schools, including Carey Grammar, also reached out to their students and offered support to those who might be experiencing distress.
Students are urged to contact an adult if they or someone they know needs help (pictured, Wesley College, Melbourne)
In Victoria, there were 801 suicides last year, a five per cent increase from 2022.
There has also been an increase in suicides among those under 18.
In the coroner’s court dataIn Victoria, there was an 85.7 per cent increase in this age group, from 14 deaths in 2022 to 26 in 2023.
If you or someone you know is going through a difficult situation or needs someone to talk to:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au
Beyond the blue: 1300 22 4636 beyondblue.org.au
Children’s Helpline: 1800 55 1800 helplineforkids.com.au
Free space: 1800 650 890 headspace.org.au