All Resources have just launched a new book ‘Suicide is Never the Answer’. The main aim of the book is to provide people with information to help them prevent a suicide. It is important to remember that, when dealing with a suicidal person, the immediate suicidal impulse will pass even though the depressed state may linger for weeks or months or even longer. So if you can be there at that moment when a young person feels all hope is lost, if you can talk to them for just one minute, the suicidal impulse will pass. You will have gained valuable time to get help for the young person and you will be able to put a plan in place to help them get better.

We all need to reach out to help young people in crisis. The more we know about suicide, the more we can do to prevent it.

Once again a young person has taken his own life due to bullying — Click here for story.

Sidney Boyimbo Nzamale was discovered by his sister hanging from a bunk bed in his Tottenham bedroom in October 2011. The inquest heard that he had been slapped by a fellow pupil, and on another occasion a boy demanded money from him.

This is a tragedy!  We are all responsible and we need to find ways of stopping bullying once and for all. According to his school, the claims had not been substantiated after a thorough investigation. They stated that their anti-bullying measures were “rigorous” and Sidney was a popular pupil who was settling in well. However, his parents insist he was being bullied.

It is vital that bullying is tackled earlier — we need early intervention from ages 4 or 5 upwards. It isn’t good enough to tackle bullying when it has already become a problem. Many schools have bullying programmes for students from ages 8 upwards — this is often shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Anti-bullying programmes should be part and parcel of every curriculum as soon as children start school. Schools must send out strong messages that bullying has serious consequences and repeat offending will be punished. Victims need to be given the tools to deal with bullying, such as help in developing confidence and self-esteem. They need to know that their school is taking the matter seriously, and parents need to feel confident that their child is safe at school.

We can’t let the death of young Sidney be in vain.