Suicide prevention resources

REGINA – On Monday afternoon in Regina a funeral was held for a 13-year-old girl. She died last week, it appears she took her own life.

In the days following her death there was an outpouring of grief online. Many of the comments left by those mourning the young girl suggested bullying played a role in her death. Even in her obituary, her family asked for help in “raising more awareness in schools and putting an end to bullying.”

School board officials says there is no history of bullying incidents, and police say they won’t speculate on cause while a coroner’s investigation is underway.

For a variety of reasons, we typically do not report on suicides, unless, as in the case of bullying, they are related to larger social issues.

Whether or not that is the case in this instance, that a young girl felt suicide was her only option is utterly tragic, and public interest in this story makes this an appropriate time to address the issue, as delicately as possible.

In a statement issued by the girl’s mother, she urges all parents to reach out to their children and to find out what is going on inside.

“Your child could be smiling on the outside and surrounded by “friends,”” the statement reads in part, “but on the inside they are depressed, nervous, scared, anxious, and feeling completely alone.”

Determining what is going on “inside” is not always easy, but there are many resources for children and their parents to turn to. A number of them are presented below. They contain important information for parents and teens, including warning signs of suicidal behaviour.

Global News will continue to monitor this story, while respecting the family’s request for privacy.

Kids Help Phone: A free, anonymous and confidential phone and on-line professional counselling service for youth.

Canadian Mental Health Association: Tools for understanding mental health issues that can lead to suicide.

Centre for Suicide Prevention: Facts and myths about suicide, resource kits, support group listings.