Boy (13) suicide tragedy ............. (ten miles from my home) :-(

[Guest guest]

Probe as care home teenager hangs himself

By Deborah McAleese

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=653124

19 July 2005

Health officials have launched an urgent probe after a boy of 13

hanged himself while in the care of social services in Lisburn, it

can be revealed today.

The teenager, who was a resident of a children's home run by the

Down Lisburn Trust, took his own life earlier this month, the

Belfast Telegraph has learned.

It is believed he was not in the home at the time of the suicide.

Urgent calls have now been made for more resources to be directed

towards foster care as an alternative to residential accommodation

for children.

Politicians have also called for extra government funding and

assistance to help tackle suicide among young people.

Kate , Down Lisburn Trust's director of social work, has

confirmed that a full investigation will take place into the

circumstances surrounding the boy's death on July 8, 2005.

She said everyone within the home and the trust is saddened by the

death.

Mrs said: " There is great sadness among the staff who knew

this child at his sudden and tragic death.

" There will of course be a prompt and full investigation into all

the circumstances surrounding his death and because of that the

trust is very limited in what it can say at this stage. "

The child was believed to have been a resident at purpose-built

Flaxfield children's home close to Lagan Valley Hospital.

The house was built for a small number of young people who require

long-term care.

It aims to provide a safe and stable environment where young people

can develop social skills, build good working relationships,

maximise their educational potential and prepare thoroughly for life

after care.

SDLP MLA for the area Lewsley said the Government needs to

find more funding and resources to tackle suicides among young

people.

She said she also would like more resources to be found for

fostering as she believes this is a much better option than

residential care.

She added: " This is definitely one of the issues that needs to be

looked at as a matter of urgency. There are a range of problems with

young children being put into residential care. I believe we have to

make sure that more money is found for fostering as this is a better

option.

" Suicides among young people is one issue that needs to be well

resourced. Young people should never think that is the only route to

go.

" Obviously this young person must have had some kind of problem that

was not detected. This cannot continue to happen. I would like to

extend my sympathies to his family. "

Recently the Belfast Telegraph revealed that three people have

committed suicide every week for the past five years in Northern

Ireland.

The problem is particularly rife in north and west Belfast where 36

people took their own lives last year. Last month seven people took

their own lives within one week in the west of the city.

In May, Health Minister Shaun Woodward vowed to set up a taskforce

to tackle the rising number of suicides in Northern Ireland after he

met with Sinn Fein leader Gerry and a delegation of grieving

parents whose children committed suicide.

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[Guest guest]

Probe as care home teenager hangs himself

By Deborah McAleese

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=653124

19 July 2005

Health officials have launched an urgent probe after a boy of 13

hanged himself while in the care of social services in Lisburn, it

can be revealed today.

The teenager, who was a resident of a children's home run by the

Down Lisburn Trust, took his own life earlier this month, the

Belfast Telegraph has learned.

It is believed he was not in the home at the time of the suicide.

Urgent calls have now been made for more resources to be directed

towards foster care as an alternative to residential accommodation

for children.

Politicians have also called for extra government funding and

assistance to help tackle suicide among young people.

Kate , Down Lisburn Trust's director of social work, has

confirmed that a full investigation will take place into the

circumstances surrounding the boy's death on July 8, 2005.

She said everyone within the home and the trust is saddened by the

death.

Mrs said: " There is great sadness among the staff who knew

this child at his sudden and tragic death.

" There will of course be a prompt and full investigation into all

the circumstances surrounding his death and because of that the

trust is very limited in what it can say at this stage. "

The child was believed to have been a resident at purpose-built

Flaxfield children's home close to Lagan Valley Hospital.

The house was built for a small number of young people who require

long-term care.

It aims to provide a safe and stable environment where young people

can develop social skills, build good working relationships,

maximise their educational potential and prepare thoroughly for life

after care.

SDLP MLA for the area Lewsley said the Government needs to

find more funding and resources to tackle suicides among young

people.

She said she also would like more resources to be found for

fostering as she believes this is a much better option than

residential care.

She added: " This is definitely one of the issues that needs to be

looked at as a matter of urgency. There are a range of problems with

young children being put into residential care. I believe we have to

make sure that more money is found for fostering as this is a better

option.

" Suicides among young people is one issue that needs to be well

resourced. Young people should never think that is the only route to

go.

" Obviously this young person must have had some kind of problem that

was not detected. This cannot continue to happen. I would like to

extend my sympathies to his family. "

Recently the Belfast Telegraph revealed that three people have

committed suicide every week for the past five years in Northern

Ireland.

The problem is particularly rife in north and west Belfast where 36

people took their own lives last year. Last month seven people took

their own lives within one week in the west of the city.

In May, Health Minister Shaun Woodward vowed to set up a taskforce

to tackle the rising number of suicides in Northern Ireland after he

met with Sinn Fein leader Gerry and a delegation of grieving

parents whose children committed suicide.

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© 2005 Independent News and Media (NI)

a division of Independent News & media (UK) Ltd

[Guest guest]

Sorry to hear it. Wonder what psych drug the boy was on?

Jim

Probe as care home teenager hangs himself

By Deborah McAleese

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=653124

19 July 2005

Health officials have launched an urgent probe after a boy of 13

hanged himself while in the care of social services in Lisburn, it

can be revealed today.

The teenager, who was a resident of a children's home run by the

Down Lisburn Trust, took his own life earlier this month, the

Belfast Telegraph has learned.

It is believed he was not in the home at the time of the suicide.

Urgent calls have now been made for more resources to be directed

towards foster care as an alternative to residential accommodation

for children.

Politicians have also called for extra government funding and

assistance to help tackle suicide among young people.

Kate , Down Lisburn Trust's director of social work, has

confirmed that a full investigation will take place into the

circumstances surrounding the boy's death on July 8, 2005.

She said everyone within the home and the trust is saddened by the

death.

Mrs said: " There is great sadness among the staff who knew

this child at his sudden and tragic death.

" There will of course be a prompt and full investigation into all

the circumstances surrounding his death and because of that the

trust is very limited in what it can say at this stage. "

The child was believed to have been a resident at purpose-built

Flaxfield children's home close to Lagan Valley Hospital.

The house was built for a small number of young people who require

long-term care.

It aims to provide a safe and stable environment where young people

can develop social skills, build good working relationships,

maximise their educational potential and prepare thoroughly for life

after care.

SDLP MLA for the area Lewsley said the Government needs to

find more funding and resources to tackle suicides among young

people.

She said she also would like more resources to be found for

fostering as she believes this is a much better option than

residential care.

She added: " This is definitely one of the issues that needs to be

looked at as a matter of urgency. There are a range of problems with

young children being put into residential care. I believe we have to

make sure that more money is found for fostering as this is a better

option.

" Suicides among young people is one issue that needs to be well

resourced. Young people should never think that is the only route to

go.

" Obviously this young person must have had some kind of problem that

was not detected. This cannot continue to happen. I would like to

extend my sympathies to his family. "

Recently the Belfast Telegraph revealed that three people have

committed suicide every week for the past five years in Northern

Ireland.

The problem is particularly rife in north and west Belfast where 36

people took their own lives last year. Last month seven people took

their own lives within one week in the west of the city.

In May, Health Minister Shaun Woodward vowed to set up a taskforce

to tackle the rising number of suicides in Northern Ireland after he

met with Sinn Fein leader Gerry and a delegation of grieving

parents whose children committed suicide.

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SiteSearch

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in print | Contact us |

© 2005 Independent News and Media (NI)

a division of Independent News & media (UK) Ltd

[Guest guest]

Sorry to hear it. Wonder what psych drug the boy was on?

Jim

Probe as care home teenager hangs himself

By Deborah McAleese

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=653124

19 July 2005

Health officials have launched an urgent probe after a boy of 13

hanged himself while in the care of social services in Lisburn, it

can be revealed today.

The teenager, who was a resident of a children's home run by the

Down Lisburn Trust, took his own life earlier this month, the

Belfast Telegraph has learned.

It is believed he was not in the home at the time of the suicide.

Urgent calls have now been made for more resources to be directed

towards foster care as an alternative to residential accommodation

for children.

Politicians have also called for extra government funding and

assistance to help tackle suicide among young people.

Kate , Down Lisburn Trust's director of social work, has

confirmed that a full investigation will take place into the

circumstances surrounding the boy's death on July 8, 2005.

She said everyone within the home and the trust is saddened by the

death.

Mrs said: " There is great sadness among the staff who knew

this child at his sudden and tragic death.

" There will of course be a prompt and full investigation into all

the circumstances surrounding his death and because of that the

trust is very limited in what it can say at this stage. "

The child was believed to have been a resident at purpose-built

Flaxfield children's home close to Lagan Valley Hospital.

The house was built for a small number of young people who require

long-term care.

It aims to provide a safe and stable environment where young people

can develop social skills, build good working relationships,

maximise their educational potential and prepare thoroughly for life

after care.

SDLP MLA for the area Lewsley said the Government needs to

find more funding and resources to tackle suicides among young

people.

She said she also would like more resources to be found for

fostering as she believes this is a much better option than

residential care.

She added: " This is definitely one of the issues that needs to be

looked at as a matter of urgency. There are a range of problems with

young children being put into residential care. I believe we have to

make sure that more money is found for fostering as this is a better

option.

" Suicides among young people is one issue that needs to be well

resourced. Young people should never think that is the only route to

go.

" Obviously this young person must have had some kind of problem that

was not detected. This cannot continue to happen. I would like to

extend my sympathies to his family. "

Recently the Belfast Telegraph revealed that three people have

committed suicide every week for the past five years in Northern

Ireland.

The problem is particularly rife in north and west Belfast where 36

people took their own lives last year. Last month seven people took

their own lives within one week in the west of the city.

In May, Health Minister Shaun Woodward vowed to set up a taskforce

to tackle the rising number of suicides in Northern Ireland after he

met with Sinn Fein leader Gerry and a delegation of grieving

parents whose children committed suicide.

Back | Return to top | Printable Story

SiteSearch

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Terms & conditions | Privacy policy | Advertise online | Advertise

in print | Contact us |

© 2005 Independent News and Media (NI)

a division of Independent News & media (UK) Ltd