Well placed sources have informed this publication that a male student of the Mahdia Secondary School has attempted suicide by consuming a poisonous substance. He was medevacked to Georgetown where doctors are wrestling to save his life.
According to reports, the teenaged boy was not hurt in the recent fire. However, one of the girls who died in the fire was reportedly his girlfriend. As such, the youth became both traumatized and grieved, and apparently unable to cope with the psychological pressure, resorted to self-harm.
The Mahdia Secondary School Female Dorms Fire which killed 19 students, mostly girls, will doubtless leave many students suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as grief and other forms of emotional distresses. It is one from which many people will take a long time to recover.
President Ali has said he is firmly resolved in making sure that those affected by the tragedy receive all the help they need, including counselling where necessary.
