Tragedy as primary school girl takes own life

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A 10-year-old Sydney girl has tragically taken her own life.

A 10-year-old Sydney girl has tragically taken her own life. Source: News Limited

A TEN-year-old girl is the latest child to take her own life, leaving friends and teachers at a Sydney primary school and her family devastated.

Education authorities have organised grief counselling for students, as well assistance for the girl’s family and teachers.

Police have launched an investigation into the death of the Year 5 student from an inner-west school, but they are not treating it as suspicious.

A Department of Education and Communities spokesman said a report was being prepared for the Coroner.

The death comes amid a Sunday Telegraph campaign to encourage children, parents and teachers to talk about youth suicide after years of it being a taboo topic.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH EDITOR MICK CARROLL TALKS ABOUT YOUTH SUICIDE

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It is hoped that by talking about the problem rather than sweeping it under the carpet, children at risk will feel they have someone to turn to, while children will be able to approach adults with their concerns if they feel friends are at risk.

The education spokesman said: “The death of this student is a tragedy. The Department of Education and Communities and the school offer their condolences to the student’s family and friends.

“Ongoing counselling is being provided to students and staff at the school. Assistance has also been offered to the student’s family.

“As police are investigating this death for a report to the Coroner, it is not appropriate to comment further at this time.”

National Children’s Commissioner Megan Mitchell has called for more to be done at a national level to increase awareness of those looking after children about primary risk factors and warning signs.

A national research agenda into self-harm deaths should also include work on identifying effective ways to encourage children to access appropriate help or support, while boosting research into the impact of social media.

The recommendations were contained in a major report released last month into child self-harm and suicide.

Some 140 submissions made as part of the investigation will be released tomorrow.

In a column in The Sunday Telegraph today, Ms Mitchell said the greatest finding to come out of her report was that too much about suicide was still unknown.

“I hope my report helps to expose the many myths about intentional self-harm and suicidal behaviour and that, as a nation, we can encourage young people to seek help,” she said.

“My major finding is too much is unknown. We need a national research agenda.”

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data showed there were 18,277 hospitalisations for intentional self-harm involving children and young people aged between 3 and 17 between 2007 and 2013.

Data from the National Coronial Information System showed 333 children and young people aged 4 to 17 died due to intentional self-harm between 2007 and 2012.

Three out of four suicides happened at home while one in five were from an indigenous background.

IF YOU NEED HELP:

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or visit kidshelp.com.au

Lifeline: 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au

Originally published as Tragedy as primary school girl takes own life