The Bridgend Suicides

[lewislewis]

There is nothing that wrong with Bridgend county, it isn't 'socially deprived', really, though in the upper valleys, point taken. Young people in the UK have a culture vacuum, no values or beliefs to stand for, no communal activity anymore (in the majority of cases), alot of stress and depression.

 

[Maidmarian]

I blame Thatcher.

 

[agricola]

One imagines the situation would be improved if the media stopped reporting these suicides, since it definately appears that the national-level reporting is sustaining it (the cynic in me suggests this might not be totally bad news for the media).

 

[Gavin Bl]

The Tipping Point does indeed have an interesting section on teen suicide cults - the social factors are important, but it 'needs' to crystallise around maybe a charismatic individual or a singular event among a 'community'. But sadly this is how it happens, not how you can stop it.

When I was a lad, saying someone was from Bridgend was an insult as it had a mental hospital or something, this was back in the 70s.

 

[1927]

Just had a text from one of the guys who works for me.

"1927. Broken down in Bridgend. Please come and tow me home. Bring rope can't buy one for love nor money down here!"

<gets coat>

 

[Zeppo]

There is something very odd about the number of these suicides. In the last two years the stats were 3 suicides each year, now 17.

I have worked in suicide prevention but in rural areas. Helped set up voluntary groups as helplines. Young people everywhere and in Bridgend should have outlets/helpines to speak to people who may be able to help them get over any suicidal thoughts.

Life can be tough for young people but the emphasis must be that suicide is not an option. Maybe there is some copy cat but when you commit suicide there is no way back.

It is bleak but more resources into prevention is the key.

 

[Brockway]

One imagines the situation would be improved if the media stopped reporting these suicides, since it definately appears that the national-level reporting is sustaining it (the cynic in me suggests this might not be totally bad news for the media).

This is a great story for the media. The police are desperately trying to dampen things down by saying these events are tragic but not particularly unusual while the media are busy speculating about internet death cults. My favourite bonkers theory so far is that a malevolent hypnotist is responsible. And, as has been pointed out already, the 17 deaths "in Bridgend" is hardly geographically correct but why spoil a good story?

 

[nwnm]

'The Sorrow of Young Werther' is a epistolary (now theres a word for you!)novel by Goethe about a guy (Werther) who kills himself over unrequited love, basically.

I think it was blamed for creating a 'suicide epidemic', in much the same way that 'Gloomy Sunday' was.
Quite what the significance here is, other than that, I dunno.

Nothing to do with boiled sweets then? I thought the kid in the werther's originals ads would get pissed off with his grandad giving him rock hard toffees one day - but topping himself ten years on would be a bit extreme....

 

[danny la rouge]

There is something very odd about the number of these suicides. In the last two years the stats were 3 suicides each year, now 17.

The sad fact is that 16 suicides among young people in Bridgend in 12 months is no worse than usual. There were 13 suicides by young people in 2007, and 21 in total. In 2006 the total was 28.

Source

 

[Strumpet]

That's it.

*pokes Kanda in the eye*

 

[spacemonkey]

The journalist makes a good point in that article -

It is telling that Bridgend hit the headlines only when the 13th victim, Natasha Randall, was linked to one of the boys by a photograph. She was pretty girl who, as every report said, had her "whole life ahead of her". Until then, it wasn't much of a story.

Sad that it's quite obvious the death toll isn't particularly strange for the area. Doesn't stop the media using phrases like 'macabre craze'.

 

[lewislewis]

Carwyn Jones was good on Dragon's Eye about this. He made a point that there is alot of anger in Bridgend towards the London media, who had sensationalised the stories and used them to attack Bridgend as a town. Which IMO is totally unacceptable.

 

[brianx]

I'd kill myself if I lived anywhere near Bridgend.

Don't go there Kanda this is serious shit. Those poor parents have to live with this.

 

[Combustible]

Carwyn Jones was good on Dragon's Eye about this. He made a point that there is alot of anger in Bridgend towards the London media, who had sensationalised the stories and used them to attack Bridgend as a town. Which IMO is totally unacceptable.

This seems to be the overwhelming sentiment to me.