Education ministry moves to address student suicides

Western Bureau:

A meeting has been scheduled for the Ministry of Education today to discuss strategies to address the emerging trend of students committing suicide.

A release yesterday stated that Education Minister Andrew Holness has directed the ministry, including guidance officers and various education stakeholders, to increase their awareness and surveillance to identify and intervene in cases of emotional crisis where suicidal tendencies might be suspected.

"The ministry will be mobilising all its support and counselling resources to discuss the issue and possible solutions," the release stated. "The meeting is to take place tomorrow (today) at the Ministry of Education."

recent suicides

The meeting follows the recent suicides of 14-year-old St James High School student Shaquilla Calame; Annalise Authurs, a grade-eight student also of St James High; and 15-year-old Tia Murray of Godfrey Stewart High.

According to the ministry, there have also been reports of unsuccessful attempts by students to commit suicide.

Yesterday, Dr Beverly Scott, executive director of the Family and Parenting Centre in Montego Bay, St James, said she plans to address parents of the St James High School about ways to better connect with their children.

Her announcement followed a visit to the school yesterday, where students remained grief-stricken following their peers' recent suicides.

in deep mourning

Scott told The Gleaner that staff, students, and especially close friends of the two St James High girls were in deep mourning when she went to the school during the morning shift.

The counsellor said that she was worried by suggestions from surviving students that they could identify with the home-based problems Shaquilla and Annalise were reported to have had.

Scott added that while she did not believe suicide in schools was a growing trend, she saw it as a miracle that more children had not gone down that path because of the poor relationships between them and their caregivers.

St James High principal, Joseph Williams, said that counselling experts would be going to the school to provide further therapy for students and staff.

He also confirmed that a meeting is to be held with parents on Thursday, and that a counselling session would be held for teachers.

- Christopher Thomas