Shock at death of Hamilton schoolgirl
The family of a schoolgirl who took her own life Hamilton say they’ve been left with a hole in their heart.
12 year-old Rachel Stevens died on Friday - her mum says the St John Ogalvie pupil was being bullied.
Pauline Moriarty lost her daughter Jenna to suicide after she’d been taunted online, and she told Clyde News Rachel’s family will be in turmoil:
"You just go through utter shock and devastation - a million questions will be asked of themselves and others."
"We really need to be more helpful and try to understand what young people these days have to deal with, things like social media which you can never get away from it, and not feeling good about yourself because you see someone else who seems to have a better life.
"I can't believe the number of people who've approached us in the last six months, we've had about six people in the area under 16 who've taken their own life, and that's just the ones we've heard about and I'm sure there are others."
It comes just weeks after the Scottish Government pledges to put a counsellor in every secondary school in Scotland.
South Lanarkshire Council says it’s a terrible tragedy and they’re providing support to pupils.
Police Scotland says there are no suspicious circumstances.
"I'm absolutely firm in my mind we can't let any more tragedies happen like this." - Cllr Mo Razzaq
Mo Razzaq is a local councillor and told us it's vital pupils are given the correct support:
"We will be asking the education department to put in more resources because the effects will be felt around other schools. All parties agree there needs to be full support for all the children involved, and we want to make sure that all the guidelines on bullying are being followed and if there are any shortcomings they are addressed urgently.
"It is vital for children of any age to get the support they need if they are feeling down, and if they need any extra help the onus is on the council and us in the education department to give them that support. They shouldn't feel the need to take their own lives because. I'm absolutely firm in my mind we can't let any more tragedies happen like this.
"I would say to all parents, speak to your children to see where they are and if there's any help them need, and be vigilant about what your children are saying and doing on social media. Children don't realise the impact their words can have but we adults should know and should be there to support our children."
An appeal has been started to raise money for Rachel's family.