As I’m interested in cultures, I try to follow the news of different countries. I have several online news sites that I follow. One particular that drew my attention is an article on the Suriname website of “Dagblad Suriname”. This site tries to cover the daily news of Suriname – a country in South America.
The article I’m referring to above is an article about suicide amongst youngsters. And what disturbed me mostly was that the figures of youngsters committing suicide is growing. An example is given of a 14-year-old girl who decides to commit suicide after her boyfriend breaks up with her after a couple of years being in a relationship.
Most of us will probably think “14 years and in a serious relationship for a couple of years?!”, well at least that was my first thought. The fact that she was 14 years old and already had a serious relationship for a few years, is also something to think about. But that is not the worst yet.
It is disturbing that children decide to commit suicide. According to the article there is a bridge – 52 meters high and 1,504 meters long – called the Jules Wijdenbosch bridge, which is also known as the suicide bridge. I don’t think this name needs an explanation. At both ends of the bridge there are warning signs, not to jump and to seek help. A special number can be dialed to get help.
What actually shocked me – apart from the article itself – were the comments made on the Facebook page of the article. Comments like “good luck with jumping [of the bridge]” and “if you want to die, go ahead, just jump”. Thank God, there were not only negative comments like these, but some people really addressed the issue and causes.
One person, in my opinion, hit the bulls eye. The commenter first of all replied asking what was happening to society. Making a point that if someone wants to commit suicide, it means that this person is probably extremely depressed and doesn’t feels loved by anyone. When people make those negative comments, it can be an affirmation of those feelings and hence that little push to take the jump.
The commenter also said that it’s not only society who has a hand in this suicide behavior of children/youngsters, the way children are raised can also be an issue. Putting a child in this world, providing him or her with food, clothes and a roof above the head isn’t enough. Being a parent means being consequent in raising a child, not only telling what a child does wrong, but complimenting is also a necessity. It is important to explain why something is wrong or good, one should also address issues in society and discuss them.
Teachers should not be seen as the main educators, at the end of the day, the upbringing of a child is the responsibility of the parents. If the parents can’t give support to the childs needs in that state of depression, then the teachers and government should provide help. On such a level that everyone can reach out to help.
It’s easy for an outsider to judge the parents and society. And as an outsider I totally understand that each and every case is a unique one. Nevertheless, this development in Suriname society is not a good one. I, myself, am acquainted with Suriname society and culture. So, I do recognize certain issues that arise in this subject.
Being an outsider and “judging” the developments and sharing the thoughts of the commenter, might not be taken in gratitude. But perhaps, just perhaps, being an outsider might bring a new perspective on what issues could be addresses in order to bring down the number of suicides. And to give these youngster a – brighter – future…
Miss Policy 
Suicide and 14 years old
As I’m interested in cultures, I try to follow the news of different countries. I have several online news sites that I follow. One particular that drew my attention is an article on the Suriname website of “Dagblad Suriname”. This site tries to cover the daily news of Suriname – a country in South America.
The article I’m referring to above is an article about suicide amongst youngsters. And what disturbed me mostly was that the figures of youngsters committing suicide is growing. An example is given of a 14-year-old girl who decides to commit suicide after her boyfriend breaks up with her after a couple of years being in a relationship.
Most of us will probably think “14 years and in a serious relationship for a couple of years?!”, well at least that was my first thought. The fact that she was 14 years old and already had a serious relationship for a few years, is also something to think about. But that is not the worst yet.
It is disturbing that children decide to commit suicide. According to the article there is a bridge – 52 meters high and 1,504 meters long – called the Jules Wijdenbosch bridge, which is also known as the suicide bridge. I don’t think this name needs an explanation. At both ends of the bridge there are warning signs, not to jump and to seek help. A special number can be dialed to get help.
What actually shocked me – apart from the article itself – were the comments made on the Facebook page of the article. Comments like “good luck with jumping [of the bridge]” and “if you want to die, go ahead, just jump”. Thank God, there were not only negative comments like these, but some people really addressed the issue and causes.
One person, in my opinion, hit the bulls eye. The commenter first of all replied asking what was happening to society. Making a point that if someone wants to commit suicide, it means that this person is probably extremely depressed and doesn’t feels loved by anyone. When people make those negative comments, it can be an affirmation of those feelings and hence that little push to take the jump.
The commenter also said that it’s not only society who has a hand in this suicide behavior of children/youngsters, the way children are raised can also be an issue. Putting a child in this world, providing him or her with food, clothes and a roof above the head isn’t enough. Being a parent means being consequent in raising a child, not only telling what a child does wrong, but complimenting is also a necessity. It is important to explain why something is wrong or good, one should also address issues in society and discuss them.
Teachers should not be seen as the main educators, at the end of the day, the upbringing of a child is the responsibility of the parents. If the parents can’t give support to the childs needs in that state of depression, then the teachers and government should provide help. On such a level that everyone can reach out to help.
It’s easy for an outsider to judge the parents and society. And as an outsider I totally understand that each and every case is a unique one. Nevertheless, this development in Suriname society is not a good one. I, myself, am acquainted with Suriname society and culture. So, I do recognize certain issues that arise in this subject.
Being an outsider and “judging” the developments and sharing the thoughts of the commenter, might not be taken in gratitude. But perhaps, just perhaps, being an outsider might bring a new perspective on what issues could be addresses in order to bring down the number of suicides. And to give these youngster a – brighter – future…
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