Counselling services are being provided to traumatised students after they witnessed the result of a horrific suicide of a depressed expatriate.
The students of Bahrain School in Juffair were on their way to school when their school bus drove past the body of a man hanged from a rope clearly visible in an under-construction building in Amwaj Islands.
The GDN reported yesterday about the incident as authorities continue with their investigation into Tuesday’s incident. Sources confirmed the deceased was an Indian worker.
A concerned parent told the GDN yesterday that her 16-year-old son, along with other students, was shocked to witness the tragedy.
“My son, along with other students, including those of kindergarten age, saw the body hanged at eye level at around 7.15am,” said the parent.
“There must have been 15 students on the school bus that day who witnessed the incident.”
She added several other school buses travel on the same route at the same time.
“My son later texted in our family group that he saw a guy ‘hanging’, which I did not understand initially.”
She added later in the day, the school contacted concerned parents offering counselling services to the traumatised pupils.
“I think it’s very important to provide the service to the students,” the concerned mother said.
The school in Juffair, affiliated with the US Defence Department, which many US service children and VIP Bahraini families attend, issued an email entitled ‘Situational Awareness’ to parents.
“This morning, some of our school buses in Amwaj area passed by an area where a serious incident occurred involving local enforcement,” the school told them. “We are aware that students saw the presence of emergency vehicles, which may have raised questions or concerns.
“We want to assure you that the safety and emotional well-being of our students is our top priority.
“Our school crisis team is on standby and available to support any student or family who may be affected or in need of assistance.”
The school encouraged parents to speak to their children to allow them to share and express their feelings, a method supported by mental health experts.
“If you feel your child would benefit from speaking with a counsellor, please contact the school office, and we will make arrangements for support,” it added.
Another parent responded to the school’s action, appreciating and praising its proactive approach.
“Unfortunately, most kids on my son’s morning bus saw the body at eye level from the bus; those kids need a debriefing,” she added.
The GDN contacted Bahrain School for a comment on the counselling service being provided for students following the incident. “The school’s focus remains on supporting our students and their families,” it replied in a statement.
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