Plea over deaths

Two teenage boys have died suddenly in Wainuiomata and the mother of one is pleading with young people to stop glorifying the manner of her son’s death through text messages and social media.

Tonie Brightwell told The Dominion Post of similarities between the deaths of her 16-year-old son, Damian Brightwell, and his close friend, Damon Hills, 17.

Since her son’s death five weeks ago, she had been made aware of young people sending text and online messages making light of suicide.

Ms Brightwell said she was angry her son’s death was being ‘‘glamorised’.

‘‘We need to get the message out that they need to think further than the next five minutes. They need to think about next week. They need to think about next year. They need to think about their family and friends.

‘‘It’s not OK to do this. They need to think about the mess they are leaving behind,’’ Ms Brightwell said.

Her family was devastated by Da- Suicide Prevention Helpline 0508 828 865 Youthline 0800 376 633 Depression 0800 111 757 Lifeline 0800 543 354 Samaritans 0800 726 666 mian’s death, but she said they were coping better than his friends.

Both Damian and Damon had attended Wainuiomata High School and parents and pupils were receiving advice and counselling this week to try to prevent more deaths.

‘‘All the parents are terrified, all the officials and health people, the school, everyone is terrified,’’ Ms Brightwell said.

Her son had had mental health issues, which he had been receiving help for.

The Education Ministry’s traumatic incident service was working with other agencies to support the school, and had helped write letters to parents.