High school under fire for shock advice after Year 7 student dies in Sydney
A leading international expert has condemned a school’s reporting following the suicide of a 12-year-old pupil in the same neighbourhood.
Following the death of the Year 7 pupil at Santa Sabina College in Western Sydney, the nearby Presbyterian Ladies College advised parents of the same year group not to talk to their daughters about the tragedy unless they had “discussed it with you”.
However, Professor Ian Hickie, an internationally recognised authority on mental health, said it was “not very helpful” to sweep such tragedies under the carpet.
According to Professor Hickie, co-director of the department of health and policy at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre, it is counterproductive to ignore what has happened or pretend nothing has happened.
“Parents, schools and teachers must be prepared to engage in conversation and be part of these networks that are close to those affected,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
‘It’s fine to also emphasize the positive aspects of life, but it doesn’t help to simply ignore or gloss over them.’
Presbyterian Ladies College, which is just a few blocks from Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, advised in a letter to parents of girls in Year 7 that there would “undoubtedly” be social ties between the two schools.
“At this time, we do not plan to speak with our seventh grade students,” the letter said.
A 12-year-old Year 7 student from Sydney’s Santa Sabina College (pictured wearing uniforms) has committed suicide
However, I ask that you keep an eye on your daughters as they may hear the news from friends or on social media.
‘With exams coming up, we want the girls to be calm and focus on their learning.
‘If your daughter is affected by this news, please contact me. We want to support her.’
The school said it wanted a ‘positive approach to the girls, focusing on finding joy, hope and happiness in their lives through making positive connections and doing the things they love’.
Santa Sabina is offering counseling to students, parents and the broader community this week.
Following the tragedy, Presbyterian Ladies College sent a letter to the parents of its seventh-graders telling them not to talk about what happened unless their daughters brought it up themselves.
They have opened the doors of their chapel to everyone.
In the coming days, students will have the opportunity to write messages and bring flowers.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Presbyterian Ladies College for comment.