LETTER:Pressure on young people is immense

May I, through your columns, thank the Derbyshire Times (June 9) for highlighting the worries and pleas given by the coroner James Newman at the inquest of yet another of our local young people.

The prominence given to the article by Michael Broomhead and the editorial by Ashley Booker is exactly what is needed to raise and underline awareness of this distressing trend.

I would wholeheartedly endorse discussion of this topic and the message of Dr Rais Ahmed. Society as a whole – all professionals who have dealings with young people, from GPs through teachers and youth workers, friends and families - need to be aware of the vulnerability of young people in this age group, in the 21 st century climate of competitiveness, worries over employment, job fulfilment, relationships, along with the pressures of social media and to try to offer opportunities for people to talk.

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I write as a member of The Compassionate Friends (TCF), the charity composed of bereaved parents who offer support and befriending to other bereaved parents. It is groups like TCF which deal with the aftermath of the tragedies of young people taking their own lives. Whilst we offer support to anyone who has lost a son, daughter, sibling or grandchild, such loss is now so frequent and the effects on families so terribly complex and hard to bear, that we have set up specialist groups, online support, special regional days for parents along with a residential weekend to be held in Birmingham next year. Full details of such help can be obtained from me (07986 595 315, or [email protected]), from the TCF helpline 0345 123 2304, TCF office 0345 1203785, or the TCF website.

Jan Alcock

The Compassionate Friends (TCF).