Our first Press Release

Bula Vinaka

We, the Youth Champs for Mental Health (YC4MH), are concerned about the recent tragic death of Shereen Khan of Valebasoga High School in Labasa.

The YC4MH is a group of youth advocates for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. We have recently come together to form a network to combat the stigma and rising tide of Suicide and encourage awareness on mental health issues.

Firstly, our condolences go out to the family and friends of Shereen Khan.

Fiji has the third highest suicide rate per ratio in the world today. Reported cases of suicide have placed figures at 700 deaths since 2000. This is the tip of the iceberg. The instance of suicide deaths amongst young people is a growing problem.

Shereen Khan’s suicide would have been prevented if school authorities paid special attention to the rights and needs of student such as Shereen. School administrations have the duty and responsibility to protect and safeguard their student’s rights. No school body has the right to prevent their students from entering into a relationship and establish friendship.

This is also an instance where the education system has failed to provide proper and professional counselling help to its students. Since Fiji is a multi-cultural society, all communities must encourage friendships to mutual understanding of each other if we are to become a caring, accepting and harmonious community.

We recommend that the Ministry of Education investigate the factors that led to the death of Shereen Khan and determine the appropriate recourse.

All schools should endeavour to have professional counselling services available to its students.
A school should be a sanctuary, a place of learning where students feel safe and their rights are protected. Not a place where students feel intimidated and bullied by teachers.

Vinaka