Student suicide tragedy

Alex de Vos
A Geelong secondary student has committed suicide after national publicity about a series of suicides among Western Heights College students.
The year nine schoolgirl, who was not a Western Heights student, died last Friday.
A spokesperson for the girl’s school, which did not want to be identified, said her death had “deeply saddened” students and staff.
“The school is providing support and counselling to the family, staff, students and the broader school community,” the spokesperson said.
“The school will be making no further comment and requests people respect the need for privacy at this time.”
The girl’s death followed four suicides among Western Heights students since the start of the year.
Chairman of national depression initiative Beyondblue and former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett is fighting to stop a television program airing a report on the Western Heights suicides. He successfully sought a court injunction against the program, fearing it could lead to further suicides.
A Beyondblue spokesperson said Mr Kennett would not comment on the latest Geelong student suicide until the TV case had finished in court.