The Wollongong community is in mourning after a Year 11 student took his own life near a popular local shopping centre on Monday morning.
Emergency services were called to Keira Street, near the Wollongong Central shopping centre in the CBD, at around 11.15am on Monday amid reports a teenage boy had been seriously injured.
Several police vehicles and ambulances attended the scene.
The boy was rushed to Wollongong Hospital, but tragically, he could not be saved.
Despite the shocking incident, the mall continued trading as usual, however, parts of the food court were closed for a short period.
It is understood the teen attended the selective Smith’s Hill High School, and was enrolled in Year 11.
A NSW Department of Education spokesperson told news.com.au in a statement the community was rallying around the teens family, classmates and teachers and that counselling was being offered.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of one our students and offer our care and condolences to the family and loved ones,” the statement reads.
“Additional counsellors have been deployed to the school to support the family, students, staff, and the school community through this difficult time. This support will be ongoing.”
It is understood the NSW Coroner will determine the cause of death.
Meanwhile, Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery told the Illawarra Mercury he believed there needed to be more support to protect “the emotional wellbeing of our young people”.
“My sympathies and prayers go out to the family of this young person and I think I express that on behalf of the whole community,” he told the publication.
“Such an incident reminds us all of how fragile some young people can be in the circumstances that they confront. We need to surround our young people with as much love and support as we can muster.”
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s latest data, suicide is the leading cause of death among people aged 15–24 in Australia, representing 38 per cent of fatalities in that age group, while 2022 YouGov polling on suicide prevention found 70 per cent of Australians say they have experienced elevated distress beyond normal levels due to social and economic circumstances compared to August 2021.
The top three circumstances that are causing elevated distress include cost of living and personal debt, social isolation and loneliness and family and relationship breakdowns.
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