Lifeline Fiji is concerned with the recent spate of suicides, one of which involved a 7 year old, the youngest Fijian to date to take her own life.

Prior to this, an 8 year old was the youngest reported to have died in 2012.

Executive Director for Lifeline Fiji – Archana Mani says they’ve noticed an increase in calls to their helpline which has highlighted a growing issue.

“Also I think one of the key concerns we have as an agency is the increase in self harm behaviour in very young children and young people which seems to be you know a concern which has been brought to our attention in the recent six months in particular.”

Mani says there is help on hand and people need to use the services available to them.

“Be aware of the children are going through, keep your communication lines open, spend time with the children. If you are coming across problems which you are finding hard to deal with, there are service providers that are out there that can help you. Firstly there is Lifeline Fiji, we are a suicide prevention agency, we run a 24 hour crisis support helpline and the number is 132 454.”

Police are also urging the public to be vigilant and aware of where their children are, who they are with and what sort of activities they get involved in that impacts their emotional state.

More than 90 Fijians this year have reportedly committed suicide.