Rosemary Vaux -
tel: 020 8943 5343 mobile: 07792 72 62 41
email: rvaux@ravenstonepr.co.uk
Grandparents Uniquely Placed to Help
7 August 2007
- Every year in the UK between 600 and 800 young people between the ages of 15 and 24 take their own lives - a number equivalent to the population of a small secondary school. This is just the tip of the iceberg, says PAPYRUS, national charity for prevention of young suicide. Vast numbers of young people consider suicide and many thousands of those actually make a suicide attempt.
According to the charity older people, grandparents in particular, are in a unique position to help reduce this alarming statistic. Right now many grandparents will be helping to care for young children during the long summer school holidays, as many do throughout the year. Many parents prefer to keep childcare within the family, aware of their own parents’ experience bringing up children.
“Grandparents and often older aunts and uncles, are likely to love a child almost as much as a parent,” commented Anne Parry, chair of PAPYRUS. “Many children develop extremely close bonds with older family members. Indeed we know of instances where a grandparent has recognised indicators of mental illness that were not apparent to the parents.”
However, this special relationship can also cause anxiety and distress. PAPYRUS believes that suicidal behaviour should be on every grandparent’s agenda, but with the knowledge that help is available if they are concerned that a young people could be feeling suicidal. “You might not wish to discuss your feelings with the child’s parents for fear of causing alarm, but you can feel reassured and supported with practical advice and reassurance from the professionals at our helpline,” said Anne.
The helpline HOPELineUK - 01978 367 333 or 08000 68 41 41 - is staffed by trained professionals who take calls, in confidence and anonymity, from suicidal young people and anyone concerned that a young person could be feeling suicidal. They will discuss how to cope, what to say and do. It is proving a useful resource for concerned parents and other family members, friends, teachers and medics. HOPELineUK has a call back service for out-of-hours callers and anyone concerned about call costs.
As well as raising awareness of the danger signals PAPYRUS produces leaflets to support those dealing with severely stressed or suicidal young people.
Top of page Print story here
|
|
