Awareness campaign launched following death of Atherton teen Kinny

A 13-year-old who took her life a day before R U OK? Day has triggered a suicide awareness campaign as she is remembered ‘as the most beautiful caring young lady’.

Peter Carruthers

@petercarruther1

3 min read

October 5, 2023 - 4:36PM

The Cairns Post

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A 13-year-old Tablelands girl who took her life a day before R U OK? Day has triggered a suicide awareness campaign across Queensland.

Corrine Lee-Cheu, also known as Kinny, died on September 13 ahead of the national day that encourages Australians to have conversations about mental health.

Kinny attended Atherton State High School.

Annie Fitzgerald has organised a suicide awareness campaign and fundraiser on behalf of Kinny’s mother Jodie Fitzgerald.

She said Kinny had died “as a result of bullying and melancholy”.

A funeral service for Corrine Lee-Cheu was held at the Mountain View Chapel, Atherton on September 25. Picture: GoFundMe

“Kinny was the most beautiful caring young lady who would always be the first to lend a hand to others,” Ms Fitzgerald wrote.

“She was the best big sister to her three younger siblings and to her older brother. However, despite her family’s support, she was suffering from severe depression.

“Schools tell students to not worry about it and walk away. They do that and then they lead to bigger problems.

“High schools must stop avoiding the issue because they don’t want to deal with it and start confronting it head-on.”

The campaign, originally hosted by GoFundMe has since been taken down, has sparked a conversation about the often difficult to broach topic of teen suicide.

Other victims have shared their experiences and parents have shared the heartache of their own child’s suicide while classmates and family friends have expressed their shock and sadness at the loss of someone so young.

“Corrine had the rest of her life to live,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

“I’m pleading with anyone who would like to support the family in this trying time to share in order to generate finances and awareness for young teenagers.”

Corrine Lee-Cheu with her mother Jodie Fitzgerald and three younger siblings Tristin, Sienna and Liam. Picture: GoFundMe

According to the Suicide in Queensland annual report, 160 people took their life between 2019 and 2021 within the Cairns and hinterland region which equated to an overall age standardised suicide rate of 20.9 people per 100,000.

The rate was the third highest in the state behind the Wide Bay, the north west and Torres and Cape area that recorded a shocking rate of 30.4 deaths per 100,000.

Fears for a looming mental health crisis is deepening with professionals cancelling appointments, retreating to cities and leaving patients with even less face-to-face treatment in regional Qld.

Earlier this month the Atherton Tablelands area was one of two regions across the state to trial the new Distress Brief Support service, which will be delivered in partnership by Northern Queensland Primary Health Network and Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.

Education Queensland said support has been provided to students and staff impacted by the death.

“The Atherton State High School community is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of one of their students,” the spokeswoman said.

“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with their family, caregivers, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Any student experiencing mental health concerns is strongly encouraged to reach out to school staff and parents concerned about the safety and wellbeing of their child, are also encouraged to make immediate contact with the school, according to the department.

Queensland schools have implemented all 29 recommendations made by the Anti CyberBullying Taskforce that was set up in 2018 to assist schools in responding to and preventing online issues.

Kinny is survived by her older brother Damian and her three younger siblings Tristin, Sienna and Liam.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral service for Kinny at the Mountain View Chapel, Atherton on September 25.

Suicide Prevention Australia has been named as the beneficiary of the GoFundMe campaign that has to date raised $4395 of a $30,000 target.