 Dr Tegwyn Williams encouraged parents to talk to their children |
A senior psychiatrist in Bridgend is telling parents they should not be afraid of talking to their children about the issue of suicide. Dr Tegwyn Williams, director of mental heath services in the county, said discussing suicide did not increase the risk of it happening.
Seventeen young people have apparently killed themselves in the area since January 2007.
The inquests on two teenagers were opened and adjourned on Friday.
Dr Williams's call follows an increase in the number of young people needing professional help, and growing concern over the numbers of apparent suicides in the area.
He said parents should not be worried that "talking about suicide will make it more likely - there is no evidence that that is the case.
"So it's okay to talk to your children about these kind of things and to do what you think as a parent is necessary."
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