This is London
The true scale of a suicide epidemic among young people in a small town was revealed yesterday. As well as the seven deaths linked to social networking websites, a coroner revealed that a further six had also died within a year. The astonishing rate of hangings in Bridgend, South Wales, has terrified parents in the area and one secondary school has been placed on ‘suicide watch’ after pupils appealed for help. Of the seven “internet” suicides which culminated in the death last week of 17-year-old Natasha Randall, each victim was known by at least one of the others. Although the six other deaths revealed by coroner Philip Walters are believed to be isolated incidents, he said they show that the problem is even more widespread than originally feared. “There are 12 young men and one young woman involved and all were found hanged in the area in the last year.” One of the other victims, James Knight, 26, hanged himself from a belt during a heavy drinking session after a painful break-up with his girlfriend.
Leah Phillips was moments away from death when her stepfather found her hanging by a rope from the banister of their home near Bridgend the day after her 17-year-old friend Natasha died. Now senior staff at her school have announced the creation of an “anti-suicide taskforce” after 12 of her fellow students made a plea for help. Tina Phillips, 40, said: “I am shocked that 12 children have come forward – it’s astonishing. You don’t realise how depressed these children are. “It is definitely a good idea for the school to be on suicide watch.
I am curious to know what part “social networking’ played in this. Also I found it strange that this is in the entertainment section.
There is no evidence==NO EVIDENCE==as to what has caused this localized event.
So–theorize all you want, but it is only guessing. Several of the suicides were unconnected to others. Probably some in depth psychological detective work might find the “cause” but the dude that hung himself a few months before supposedly getting married is an interesting supposition.
All guys except one girl? Wonder if she was a double X gene? Maybe the Welsh are genetically predisposed to kill themselves? 3HC—whaddyathink?
Bobbo –
Surprise ! I’m still online..
I said only what *I think* may have been responsible or at least contributed.
Does anyone have concrete evidence to explain suicide?
I’m certain studies have been done, although I’ve never been exposed to any.
#17….these kids may not be street wise in the same sense American city kids are, but they aren’t 30 years behind the world. The only difference between them and kids from London is the lack of places to hang out and the lack of diversity of race/ethnicity.
We have a tendancy to blame group think when confronted with this sort of thing. We can’t imagine that kids could think of ending it all on their own. So Myspace and all the other sites get the blame, just like Hard Rock/Heavy Metal was blamed 25 years ago and violent video games 15 years ago. Instead of trying to remember just what a bitch being a teenager can be for many kids, adults reach for the easy suspect. All that can be done is to keep your eye’s open for changes in behavior and hope you can intervene in time.
Or, it could be………..the mere fact of living in the Britain of New Labour and knowing it will be almost 4 years before you get out of it.
“Maybe the Welsh are genetically predisposed to kill themselves? 3HC—whaddyathink?”
What I think, bobbo, is that coal miners are predisposed to live miserable, difficult lives in which drunkenness, fistfights, thankless labor and early deaths figure prominently. I also have the temerity to suggest that in cold, wet, isolated Wales, that life in a coal mining town is already bleak and miserable from the git-go and that if I were growing up in one, that I also wouldn’t feel that life was all that important to hold on to, when you see every day what that life is likely to turn out like. And young primates, including humans, will often not act on impulses until a member of their peer group does, whereupon the dam breaks and most who had been considering such actions feel justified in going ahead.
But WTF does an illiterate racist idiot like me know, anyway?
2–DeLema==glad you are still on line, if being on line is what you want to do? THIS IS afterall, a social networking group. Maybe Mr. Mustard off’ed himself because nobody would agree with his definition of religion? Yes, that kind of rejection can be awful tough on a guy.
I read your post #20 as well. Is it “thinking” to just offer a supposition with no facts at all to back it up==just coincidents?
Suicide/living is a multi-factorial proposition. Identify 2-3-4 valid correct variables, and you still have an unknown number of unknowns left to go. With Ireland not being able to export Hagis to GOUSA, maybe they just found out their schools had scored a truck load for lunch next week?
#24–3HC==well its worse than you think==I agree completely with your post.
bobbo me lad, I wouldn’t wanna be in your shoes, should you go ’round suggestin’ that any self-respecting Irishman on this planet would be caught dead eatin’ that horror the heathen Scots dreamt up…
If they have the internet, they are aware of everything. To pretend otherwise is to put your head in the sand. We are entering an age of internet culture, with YouTube and MySpace being far more influential than television and movies. You can bet they’re camming and hooking up with each other. There are parents here who also believe their precious angels aren’t doing the same things.
27–3HC==thanks for the correction–I got it half wrong. I have seen Hagis on the menu at an otherwise fine restaurant in the West of Ireland near Sandspit I believe. But there is another cultural artifact==protein is protein afterall and that “Bizarre Food” guy and I think Anthony Bourdaine as well both ate it like it was sausage. Some lungs taste pretty good after you get the bras off.
Ecch ! After 40, leave the bra on !
- bobbo –
I suppose I was just generalising what I *think* must take place in those kids’ minds as a way of coming to grips with my own personal bewilderment at the suicide of my sons’ friend. TMI, perhaps but,he walked out into a slight snow storm after the pick-up truck he stole got stuck in a snow bank or bank of snow for those of you with more proper English wishes. Succintly, he choose to freeze to death in our below zero weather. I’m simply, terrified at my lack of knowledge and worried for my son. Sorry for my lack of substantiation, I truly have none and just as truly wish I did.
#0–DeLeMa==everyone carries a few demons around with themselves all the time–recognized or not.
If you have concerns about your son, just talk to him. NOT about whats troubling him==just talk about anything that might interest him. 90% of the time (nothings perfect/no guarantees) if there is something on his mind, it will come up. Sharing a good conversation can slay a devil or two without even directly talking about them.
Depression is common, suicide is rare.
#16, Li,
Precisely. I won’t go into how difficult it is to teach adolescents, regardless of their circumstances, wealth or upbringing.
If kids 3-5 grow up watching violence and other crap, real or on TV, it’s not difficult to see how this type situation develops. I’ve been fortunate to teach electives to kids and adults: astronomy and flying. Those that want to learn, do.
Teen suicide (and depression) is tragic.
#24, THC, yep. Whether you see it on TV or in real life, GIGO.
Now would you call them sheep or lemmings?
#17 THC
That’s fine if you don’t agree with me, the article said the kids died by suicide, I’m sorry they are dead anyway you slice it. But I think maybe you need to get out a little more. You seem to have an idealized view of people that comes from reading tourist brochures rather than rubbing shoulders with real people. I have never been to Wales but I live right smack dab in the middle of the Amish. The Amish are nice people, but they are still just people, regardless of what the tourist literature says.
The form of accidental death I was talking about earlier is; auto erotic asphyxiation
http://tinyurl.com/2az9rh (PDF!)
Seems a lot of people react just like you have (these kids were too innocent) and it does not get talked about in the open.
The only reason I know about it is because I knew a young man who died this way and his Father put it out in the open so other people would talk about it and maybe educate other people about the dangers. This happens all over the world, not just in L.A. were amongst the Amish in the middle of Podunk USA and it has happened here.
What’s even more depressing is the lack of understanding or sympathy posted here. The world is in a truly sorry state no wonder these young kids decided to leave.
#32–Bubba==”it’s not difficult to see how this type situation develops.”
Well, don’t let your own emotions get manipulated by — what? Just what is driving this “opinion?”
How many people commit suicide the world over, in western culture, in the UK, in Wales, in this town?
How many suicides does it take to become a “situation?”
Does suicide from auto-erotic asphyxiation call for any different analysis than would death from Hagis, YOuToob click, or fantasy club?
What “facts” beyond the suicide itself are known to make any opinion valid in any sense?
A highly oppressive psychological atmosphere combined with the known behavioral traits of adolescents account completely for the phenomenon. Other hypotheses are of significantly lower probability.
The simplest explanation that fits the known facts is the most likely, bobbo. If you don’t believe me, check with my old chum, William of Occam.
#38–3HC==that post is beneath you. Too general and vague. Not even a hypothesis. If what you said was “causative”–then every teenager in the world would kill themselves==or if not age related, every person exposed to – - – to – - – what is it that I have to be careful exposing myself to now again? You don’t say, and I’d like to know?
Go for it 3HC–what specifically made each one of these 13 young persons (but include the 26yo or is that young too) off themselves. I would think the genetic link would be the 12 to 1 ratio? Should be enough meat there for Marx to gnaw on!
Sad, very sad. Bobbo, as your name states, your are an donkey. Isn’t it true that all girls are XX chromosome? (regarding your #21 post) although auto-erotic asphyxiation is XXX.