The suicides of seven teenagers in Geelong in 2009 has prompted the Victorian Coroner to call for a state-wide suicide prevention strategy.
The high rate that year compared to one teenage suicide in 2007, one in 2008, zero in 2010 and one in both 2011 and 2012.
Coroner Ian Gray investigated the deaths of Chanelle Rae, Taylor Janssen and Zach Harvey, who were students at different campuses of the same Geelong school when they died in 2009.
Several of the teenagers’ parents were in court on Friday to hear his findings.
“The suicide death of a loved one is an event that often leaves family, friends and the community with a great sense of loss and unanswered questions as to what happened and why,” Coroner Gray told them.
“It can reverberate throughout a family for generations, and can impact upon both the memory of the deceased and his or her surviving family.”
Judge Gray was charged with investigating whether the risk of suicide was increased by a greater awareness of suicide, both through traditional media and social media, the role of bullying and cyber-bullying, and the response by Barwon Health and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD).
Judge Gray found the response from the DEECD provided enough support to staff, students and their families.
But he also found there was not a state-wide coordinated response that could be quickly activated when concerns were raised in communities.
“There is an opportunity to reinvigorate suicide prevention activity in Victoria,” he said.
The Coroner called on the Department of Health, Victoria Police, as well as local councils and doctors to work together to develop a suicide prevention strategy that aligned with the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.
During a hearing in Geelong last year, Chanelle Rae’s mother told the court she believed media reporting of the earlier suicides contributed to her daughter’s death, and said she was hounded by the press for weeks after the death.
The Coroner said Ms Rae was a compelling witness and he accepted her concerns, but said there was no direct link between media reports and the death.
He reminded journalists to be aware of their responsibilities in reporting on suicides but found local reporters largely adhered to the guidelines.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or at www.lifeline.org.au, or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelp.com.au.