Dear Parents and Carers,

We have been alerted to a very concerning and distressing video that has appeared on social media platforms this week. This video is of a suicide by shotgun of a man in the United States and is streaming on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok, and can also be accessed via Google searches.

The clip is extremely graphic. We have been advised that it is likely that the video is being continually reposted or uploaded once it has been taken down by the platform hosts.

We strongly recommend keeping your children offline this week if possible, and heavily supervise all social media interactions until this content is removed.

We have been advised that students in our school community may have viewed this video or been exposed to it. We are continuing to investigate if this has occurred and will provide appropriate support and consequences should this be confirmed. Further, there are also indications that trolls are using videos of puppies and kitten to lure younger children into seeing the video.

We asks for parents and carers to please check with your children to determine if they have viewed this clip. They may be distressed if they have done so.

We are available via the school Guidance Counsellors, Deputy Principals and the Head of Incluson and Head of Students to internally support our students who are affected by what they might see online. Should you require support from our Student Support Team please contact our school.

Additionally, we highly recommend the following immediate contact numbers if urgent care is required:

Kids Helpline. 1800 55 1800. Phone support is there all day, every day. Online support is open from 8am-midnight every day (AEST).

Suicide Callback Service. 1300 659 467. Phone support all day, every day, and follow-up calls.

eHeadspace. 1800 650 890. Open 9am-1am daily (AEST).

Lifeline. 13 11 14. Phone support all day, every day. Online support 7pm-4amdaily (AEST).

Beyondblue. 1300 22 4636. Phone support all day, every day. Online support 3pm-midnight every day.

Thank you in advance for your diligent response and support in this matter.

Kind Regards

Mrs Kym Amor

Principal

Foxwell State Secondary College