A private school has been left in shock after one of their students took their own life, prompting the principal to urge parents to stay ‘connected’ to their children in the wake of the tragedy.
Wesley College principal Nick Evans sent an email to the parents of students who attend the prestigious Melbourne school on Thursday afternoon.
The head of the campus let classmates know the sad news on Thursday.
In Mr Evan’s email, he said the school was thinking about the child’s family and friends.
‘Today and over the coming weeks, you may be concerned about your young person’s reaction or expression of feelings about this news, even at some remove,’ he wrote.
‘We also encourage you to let your young person know that you are aware of the incident and that you will listen to their concerns at 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 the prestigious Wesley College in Melbourne (pictured), took his own life
The principal said there were ‘two important messages’ that parents should ‘promote’.
Mr Evan’s said the first is that people need to ask for help ‘when we feel down or vulnerable’ and secondly, that students should let an adult know if they are concerned about one of their friends.
As news broke of the tragedy, some other schools around Melbourne, including Carey Grammar, also reached out to their students and offered support to those who may be feeling anguish.
Students are being urged to reach out to an adult if they or someone they know needs help (pictured, Wesley College, Melbourne)
In Victoria, there were 801 suicides last year, an increase of five per cent from 2022.
There has also been a rise in suicides for those 18 and under.
In Coroner’s Court data, there was an 85.7 per cent increase in this age group, from 14 deaths in 2022 to 26 in 2023 in Victoria.
If you or someone you know is struggling or need someone to talk to:
Lifeline: 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 kidshelpline.com.au
Headspace: 1800 650 890 headspace.org.au
Victoria (Australia)Melbourne
