Bridgend suicide toll hits 19 as another
teenager is found hanged

The death toll in a small town hit by a series of suicides rose to 19 yesterday, when yet another teenager was found hanged.

Sean Rees was discovered by his family in a lane in Bridgend after he went missing during a night out with friends. Sean, 19, a supermarket worker, was described by friends as "happy-go-lucky and always smiling".

Family friend Christopher Michaelides said: "This is so tragic but I cannot work out why this happened. He had everything to live for - and was always so cheerful. He had just passed his driving test, had a decent job working in Sainsbury's and was a very popular-young man.But yet again here in Bridgend we are mourning the loss of another young life. We just keep on asking why."

Sean was found at 7.30am yesterday in a lane at the rear of a friend's house on the Bettws estate in the South Wales town. It is understood he had row with friends before storming off.

He is the 19th person aged under 27 to be hanged in the area since the start of last year. The most recent was Michelle Sheldon, 23, at the nearby Cefn Glas estate, who died on April 9 after three days on life support.

Police have stressed they have found no evidence of a suicide pact. But at an inquest last month coroner Philip Walters called for a national strategy to prevent further suicides in Wales. And a special task force has been set up in Bridgend involving police and social services.

Mr Michaelides, who is also a Labour councillor for Bettws, said: "More needs to be done to stop any more of these tragic losses of young lives."

Suicide rates amongst young people are on the increase. The Victory Youth Group (VYG) works with young people every day and has encountered youths with the same or similar problems as the story above, many of whom have received counselling and support to help them turn their life around.

If you are a youth facing problems, contact the VYG now! And if you are a parent with concerns about the welfare of your son/daughter, contact the UCKG HelpCentre to speak to a spiritual counsellor free of charge.

Read Kiran’s story on how she was able to overcome suicidal thoughts.

Released on Monday 21st April 2008

Source - www.dailymail.co.uk