Region grieves for another teen suicide

A Victorian community is grappling with a spiralling adolescent mental health crisis after the death of a Year 9 boy.

Jordan Rosewarne became his school’s third suicide in less than two years, with five other schoolboys in the region taking their lives over the past 18 months

A regional Victorian community is grappling with a spiralling adolescent mental health crisis, with the death of a Year 9 boy last week adding to a growing suicide tally.

St Joseph’s College in Geelong advised its community of the death of Jordan Rosewarne on Friday after being notified of the student’s suicide overnight.

It is the school’s third suicide case in less than two years and comes amid an investigation by the Victorian Coroner into the deaths of five other schoolboys in the region over the past 18 months.

As NSW and Victorian lockdowns continue and schools remain closed, there are mounting concerns about the toll on young people’s mental health.

Louie Shearman, 16, died last April

According to a confidential report by the Victorian Agency for Health Information, revealed in The Weekend Australian, an average of 156 teenagers a week were rushed to hospital after self-harming and suffering suicidal ideation between mid-April and the end of May – an 88 per cent increase on the same period a year ago.

Greater Geelong, about an hour from Melbourne and with a population of about 250,000, ­accounted for almost half the state’s suicide deaths of teen males during the first eight months of 2020, a Coroners Court report found.

Youth mental health organisation Headspace has been working closely with local schools, providing guidance and support in dealing with the issue. This month it opened a new satellite office in Ocean Grove on the Bellarine Peninsula to cope with the increased demand for mental health services.

Headspace chief executive Jason Trethowan stressed that suicide was a “complex and multifaceted issue” and rarely the result of a single event or factor.

But he said it was important to acknowledge the past 18 months had been “particularly challenging for many young people who are disproportionately affected by the impacts of Covid-19 and subsequent lockdowns”.

“Many young people are experiencing major changes to the way they live, work and study, resulting in an increase in need across all parts of the mental health system,” Mr Trethowan said. “Headspace continues to work with all schools in Geelong and with the education sectors supporting these schools.”

While Coroner Jacqui Hawkins has yet to report findings from her investigation into the region’s suicides – covering the circumstances surrounding the deaths and whether they represented a defined cluster as well as any opportunities for prevention – several Geelong families have spoken out publicly, blaming, in part, the lockdowns.

According to the parents of Abe Knox, another St Joseph’s student who died aged 15 last year, their sporty and outdoors-loving son found remote learning difficult and missed the social aspects of school.

Aware he was struggling, they tried unsuccessfully to get him an appointment with a paediatrician or mental health specialist before his death last May.

Other deaths included as part of the investigation include Tom Barnett, who also attended St Joseph’s and died aged 16 last February, and Louie Shearman, who died aged 16 last April.

It is understood Jordan was in the year level below Abe at the well-regarded Catholic boys school. The death of Jordan – known to be a keen sportsman and avid Geelong Cats fan – has come as a shock to his family, friends and teachers.

Tom Barnett, 16

Abe Knox, 15

St Joseph’s principal Tony Paatsch advised parents of Jordan’s death by suicide in an email sent out on Friday.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with Jordan’s family and friends,” Mr Paatsch said.

“I encourage you to speak with your son about the incident and be available to listen to his concerns at any time he wishes to share them.

“We pray for Jordan, his family and friends and for our grieving community.”

Nearby Geelong High School also alerted its students and families, noting that although Jordan was not a student there, he and his family were known to members of the community. Principal Glenn Davey urged families to remain connected and engaged with their children during the challenging time.

“Two important messages to promote are that all of us should seek help from others when we feel down or vulnerable and that young people should tell an adult if they are worried about a friend or themselves expressing suicidal thoughts,” he said.

“As an educational community in Geelong we are acutely aware that support for young people and their families is critical at this time.”

If you or someone you know is struggling mentally and at risk of suicide call Lifeline on 13 11 14, Headspace on 1800 650 890 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800