Grieving mother: Be vigilant over teen mental health

The grieving mother of a Junior Certificate student who took his own life last June yesterday asked parents to be extra vigilant over the mental health of their teenage children.

Caroline Winder was speaking after an inquest in Ennis into the death of her 15-year-old son, William, who took his own life days before he was due to sit his Junior Certificate last June.

The inquest heard that Ms Winder, accompanied by her mother, Mary Brennan made the grim discovery of finding William’s body at the rear of Ms Brennan’s home at 10.30pm of June 3 last when William had not returned home.

Mrs Brennan told the inquest that William had called to her home earlier that night and said that he was his usual chirpy self and said that he would be back in a few minutes.

Speaking after the inquest, Ms Winder said: “William was a very fun, very energetic boy but sometimes he took things just a little too seriously unfortunately.

“He was a very sensitive boy, but he was a closed book and he probably didn’t think he needed help.”

William only turned 15 last April and Ms Winder said: “No one ever expected it. It was a complete shock and even now it is a complete shock. We had no warning signs. No one saw it coming. It was the last thing we would have expected.”

Ms Winder pointed out: “William had plans and he could see the future, but he also had quiet time. He must have been suffering from some depression and probably didn’t think he would pull through the Junior Cert.”

She said: “There are no signs in some cases. We had no signs. I thought having a happy house would be enough. You need to open the communications, get friends aware.”

Ms Winder asked that parents remain vigilant over their teenage children’s mental welfare.

She said: “Be aware. Keep your eyes and ears open. If they are down over something, ask why. If they are quiet and withdrawn don’t let them stay up in their bedroom for three hours playing Playstation. Don’t let them go into a shell because it is very hard for them to get out.”

She added: “Depression in teenagers is very common, especially boys because they go through so many hormonal changes. That is what happened with William. He didn’t realise what was going on and if only he asked, but he never did.”

Ms Winder said that depression among teenagers can’t be a taboo subject.

Ms Winder said that herself and her husband, Mark have established the William Winder Rainbow Foundation to increase awareness around youth issues and difficulties that they encounter.

Ms Winder said that the foundation has links with a number of counsellors and “kids and parents are going to see the counsellors”.

In the case yesterday, County Coroner Isobel O’Dea returned an open verdict.

The postmortem found that William died from asphyxia.

Ms O’Dea said: “I’m not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that William intended to take his own life.

“I’m conscious of the fact that William was coming up to the Junior Cert exam and he may have felt under pressure on that.”

* williamwinderrainbowfoundation.ie