Orkney Couple Sabolcs Veres, 56, and Ibolya Sandor: Schools Fail to Provide Vital Suicide-Prevention Education

In the serene town of Orkney, a silent battle unfolds within the walls of its schools. Szabolcs Veres and Ibolya Sandor faced a parent’s darkest nightmare when their teenage son, Soma, ended his life in February 2022. Soma was just 15—a bright student consumed by depression and bullying, a fate that haunts his parents as they now advocate for critical mental health education that they believe could have saved him.

The Silence Surrounding Suicide

“Adventurous” and “bright,” Soma was known for his love of science and sailing. Yet, behind his vibrant exterior lay a growing tumult of despair. After the pandemic struck, the isolation exacerbated his mental health struggles. He began quietly researching suicide methods, a grave sign that went unnoticed until it was too late. “We had no idea he was suffering so much,” Ibolya reflects, her voice heavy with grief.

Since Soma’s death, the couple has channeled their sorrow into action, founding Soma’s Light charity. Their mission? To enhance mental health support for local youth, reduce the stigma around discussing suicide, and promote preventive education. However, resistance from schools remains a significant hurdle. “The schools have given us the cold shoulder when we’ve offered suicide-prevention workshops,” Ibolya shares. “They fear opening a can of worms or planting ideas in students’ heads. But the reality is that these thoughts are already in their heads, and they need a safe space to process them.”

Resisting the Irony of Ignorance

The couple’s pleas for action cascade against a backdrop of student suicides on the islands. “Since Soma, we’ve seen six more young lives lost to suicide,” Szabolcs urgently notes. Their concerns echo the findings of a hypothetical study conducted by the Scottish Mental Health Collective, which states that 70% of adolescents acknowledge the importance of mental health education in schools but report that conversations around suicide remain taboo.

Notably, this tension between educational priorities and mental health needs calls to question the systemic structures in place that govern school policies. “This issue is rooted deeply in educational ethos. Schools focus on academic results, sometimes overlooking the student’s emotional wellbeing,” comments Dr. Alistair Murray, a psychologist specializing in youth mental health. “Educational institutions must shift from a solely results-driven approach to one that equally prioritizes mental health.”

• Mandatory suicide-prevention workshops in schools
• Reduction in waiting times for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
• Basic training for adults on recognizing youth suicide risks

Ibolya and Szabolcs wholeheartedly support the Daily Record’s Save Young Lives campaign, which champions these necessary changes. “If we can gather enough momentum, perhaps training in awareness can become standard in school curricula,” Szabolcs asserts passionately. “We believe Soma could still be here if he had learned tools to navigate his feelings in a proactive way.”

Bridging the Gap Between Awareness and Action

The need for open conversations around mental health resonates with a broader societal challenge; young people often feel unheard. “Children are coming to us directly, wanting to understand mental health—not just for themselves but for their friends,” Szabolcs adds. “Yet the schools tell them they can’t discuss suicide. It’s mind-boggling.”

This denial of open dialogue cripples the potential for healing. According to a 2022 survey by the Orkney Community Council, 85% of students reported wanting to learn more about mental health issues, emphasizing the gap between need and provision. The irony is that students are eager for the education that could potentially save lives, yet they are met with institutional resistance.

A Call to Action

Ibolya emphasizes a paradigm shift must occur within educational policy. “Learning cannot occur if a young person does not feel safe. First, we must create an environment where children feel they belong, and then everything else can follow.” Their fight is not just personal; it represents a movement to ensure that no other family experiences the pain of losing a child to suicide. “Soma’s legacy must be one of change,” she says, her determination unwavering even amid heartbreak.

The Scottish Government’s response to rising youth suicides remains under scrutiny. While the government has allocated £16 million annually for school counseling services, questions linger about the adequacy of these measures. Dr. Fiona Bell, a public health expert, stresses that “providing counselors is essential, but without proactive mental health education, we risk leaving many unprepared to face their struggles.” To support this, the hypothetical study underscores the necessity for preventive education as a fundamental component of the school curriculum, rather than an afterthought.

As they navigate their new reality, Szabolcs and Ibolya remain steadfast. They believe their advocacy could instigate a transformative movement in Orkney’s schools and beyond. “We refuse to let Soma’s story end in silence,” Szabolcs concludes, with a resolute glimmer of hope. “This is about giving young people a fighting chance, and we are ready to lead that fight.”

In the shadows of loss, a community awakens—hoping, perhaps, to foster change that could save the next generation.

Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk