Sir, - Having worked as an RSE counsellor in primary schools, I am not surprised at the tragic rate of suicides among young people.
Even at primary school level, bullying has become commonplace. It is a much more cruel strain of bullying than heretofore. In the past five years I have met an increasing number of 12-yearolds suffering from anorexia nervosa. Sensitive children who are not academic (but may be creative and artistic) dread the academic and social pressures of the future. An increasing number of children have no trust or hope in God, which makes for a bleak future.
When I ask the youngsters if they have talked to their parents about their pressures and fears, most of them tell me that they have not done so in any relaxed way. "Mum is always busy", or, "There is no time". Talking to Dad is seldom seen as an option - even for boys. Confiding in a "minder" (when and if they have one) is rarely an option they consider. Teacher is also a very stressed person. So, for the majority of children, there seems to be no adult in whom to confide.
What is spoken of by more progressive, liberal parents as "quality time" is something of a farce. Time set aside to bring the kids to McDonalds, or to buy them yet another gadget to appease the children's unending greed and the parents' guilt, is hardly responding to the real need.
When a child comes home from school hurt, miserable and in need of a listening ear she doesn't want to wait until "quality time" next Thursday. She needs a loving parent now.
The loneliness of some children is a modern tragedy. Their lack of self-esteem derives from feeling unwanted or unheard in a dysfunctional family situation. It is not hard to see how their desperation develops as time goes by.
School counsellors are needed. Parent education should also be a priority. Do we really love children? I wonder. - Yours, etc.,
Eden Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow.