TEENAGERS REVEAL SUICIDAL FEELINGS TO ONLINE RESOURCE…

AN AWARD-winning online resource which gives young people confidential advice and support has revealed that feeling suicidal is one of the top worries that many 14-16-year-olds face.

 

Insight4Life, which operates its Zumos programme in schools across the country, offers youngsters a range of expert information on the various problems that are worrying them.

 

And the organisation has this week (June 7) revealed that one of the most accessed areas of its website is from young people who are coping with feeling they want to kill themselves.

 

Zumos’ figures reflect the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics, which has highlighted an increase in youth suicide.

 

At the same time, the University of Manchester has carried out research which breaks down the reasons for these suicides, which cover everything from youngsters suffering from acne to fear of exams and bullying.

 

“Our findings have highlighted these situations for some time,” said Gary Siva, Chief Executive of Zumos.

 

“Suicidal thoughts are always one of the top ten most accessed questions on our website.

 

“At the same time, all of the reasons flagged up by the University of Manchester’s research have also been identified by us, which is why Zumos also covers peer reviewed support and advice on every one of the issues highlighted.”

 

One of Zumos’ most accessed resources among young boys is coping with feeling suicidal, along with many youngsters admitting to self-harming, suffering with eating disorders and having to cope with bullying.

 

Zumos allows young people to access information to help them with their problems, while also giving them support, information and coping mechanisms.

 

At the same time, schools that sign up also get access to daily messages of positivity which help build resilience among pupils.

 

“Helping pupils deal with issues when they are young and giving them the tools to build their confidence, can help prevent them becoming adults with a number of unresolved issues which can manifest themselves later in life,” said Mr Siva.

 

“Zumos gives young people access to peer reviewed motivational support, in forms ranging from web links to suggested readings.

 

“We give them the tools which hopefully will help them throughout their lives.”

 

Zumos covers a vast range of subjects, meaning that any youngster who feels they have nowhere to go or are too frightened to ask for help can get vital information and support.

 

The Zumos programme has already won a number of awards and has been praised by OFSTED for the level of the information, advice and guidance it provides saying that it offers “a holistic perspective, much more detailed and far more advanced than normal information, advice and guidance services.”

 

It has also just launched a pilot project aimed at primary schools in Wolverhampton, with plans to roll this out nationwide.

 

For further information visit www.insight4life.co.uk