‘We can’t shy away’: Expert plea after shock death of Sydney Year 7 student

The suicide of a 12-year-old Sydney schoolgirl has prompted a world-renowned expert to stress the importance of parents having tough conversations with their children.

Santa Sabina College is in mourning after the tragic death of a Year 7 student this week.

The suicide death of a Year 7 student in Sydney this week has prompted a global mental health authority to urge parents and broader school communities to have confronting conversations, rather than shy away from them, after another school advised parents not to speak to their children about the tragedy “unless they raise it with you”.

Professor Ian Hickie said it was “not very helpful” to try to limit the spread of information around a tragedy like the death of the 12-year-old girl from Santa Sabina College in Strathfield.

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Prof Hickie was responding to reports a nearby school, Presbyterian Ladies College, had advised parents of Year 7 students “not to speak to your daughters unless they raise it with you”.

He said it was imperative that school leaders and parents accept that messaging was instant and children in sister schools, school networks and beyond would already know of such a tragedy.

Professor Ian Hickie from The Brain and Mind Institute. Picture: Richard Dobson

“It’s not helpful to say it’s not happening,” said Prof Hickie, a psychiatrist and co-director of health and policy at the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre.

“Parents, school and teachers have to be up for the conversation and have to be in these networks that are close to those affected. Because the real information will be available very readily to other girls and other networks.

“And while it’s fine to also emphasise positive aspects of life it’s not that helpful to just attempt to pass over it or gloss over it.”

A letter sent home to parents at Presbyterian Ladies College, which is close to the community at Santa Sabina College where a Year 7 student died.

In a letter to parents Presbyterian Ladies College said: “there will undoubtedly be connections between our Year 7 girls and Santa students”.

“At this stage, we do not plan to speak to our Year 7 students,” the letter said.

“I ask, however, that you keep an eye on your daughters as they may hear news via friends or on social media.”

The letter said that with exams coming up, “we really want the girls to be settled and focused on their learning”.

“Saying that, if your daughter has been impacted by this news, please contact me as we want to support her.”

Santa Sabina College is in mourning after the tragic death of a Year 7 student this week.

The school said it wanted to take a “positive approach with the girls, focusing on finding joy, hope and happiness in their lives by making positive connections and doing the things they love”.

Santa Sabina was offering counselling this week to students, parents and the broader community, and had its chapel open to all.

Students have been given the opportunity to write messages and bring flowers over the next few days.

PLC has been contacted for comment.

Lifeline: 131114

Originally published as ‘We can’t shy away’: Expert plea after shock death of Sydney Year 7 student