GEELONG\u2019S Sacred Heart College will next week host a free play and workshop exploring the topic of teenage suicide.<\/p>\n
Not-for-profit organisation The Parents Guides is presenting Suicide: It\u2019s Time We Talked, a new and challenging production that combines a play about youth suicide with a panel of mental health experts which will bring people together in local communities.<\/p>\n
The 35-minute play addresses youth suicide in the online era and how young people can reach breaking point without their parents realising.<\/p>\n
Written by noted Australian actor and playwright Alan Hopgood, the play will be followed by a 30-minute Q&A session and an expert panel.<\/p>\n
The idea is for teenagers, young adults, parents and carers to attend Suicide: It\u2019s Time We Talked together, as well as educators and health professionals that work with young people.<\/p>\n
Hopgood said he had often been asked to write a play about suicide, but \u201cpolitical correctness has stifled me\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not supposed to discuss it, you\u2019re not supposed to say how you do it for fear of copycats, you\u2019re not supposed to say \u2018commit suicide\u2019 as that suggests a criminal offence\u2026 so how do you write about it? But whatever we do, we must find a way to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said there were 405 recorded suicides by people aged 15 and 24 in Australia in 2015.<\/p>\n
Suicide: It\u2019s Time We Talked will be held at Sacred Heart College, Retreat Road, Newtown on Friday, March 29 from 6.30-9.30pm.<\/p>\n