EBU Blue Whale suicide game complicates Lithuanian fight against suicides

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Pilną laidos vaizdo įrašą rasite apsilankę lrt.lt portale: http://www.lrt.lt/mediateka LRT © 2017 Vilnius Santariskes children hospital alone last year had to treat about fifty children who tried to commit a suicide or self-harm. This year could be worse as Lithuanian police counts there can be around 100 children in capital Vilnius who do get involve in a Blue Whale suicidal game. 'There was a case in Alytus, where a girl was removed from the bridge as if she wanted to jump from that bridge claiming she wanted to accomplish the task' said Ramunas Matonis, pressman at Lithuanian police. 'Blue Whale' is a trend of closed groups on social media that started in Russia and now is spreading across the world. It is a suicide game where participants start by accomplishing certain tasks related to self-harm and in the end must commit suicide thereby winning the game. 'Drawings such as butterflies or whales can be found not only on textbooks, but on child's body as well, usually on arms', said Irina Blaziene, psychologist at Vilnius city psychological-pedagogical agency that encountered cases like these. Lithuanian police say it recently started 5 pre-trial proceedings related to incitement to commit suicide. Fortunately, so far there are no deaths recorded that could be linked to the Blue Whale. But the game certainly could complicate things for those who work in suicidal prevention such as volunteers in non-governmental organization Child Line. They provide anonymous physiological help to children by phone 116111 and on-line. 'Overall, twits are the most frequent topic if we count those who seek help by phone, we get a phone call about twits almost every day', said consultant at Child Line Rytis Rakauskas indirectly indicating he has not yet encountered those who seek help escaping from Blue Whale game. Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite visited Child Line recently and urged society to contribute to its activity claiming she dedicated 2 percent of income tax. Lithuanians can choose to dedicate 2 percent of income tax to a certain non-governmental organization. Last year president Grybauskaite initiated a social initiative called 'For a safe Lithuania' which seeks to fight against suicides. World Health Organization listed Lithuania 4th in the world and 1st in Europe with 28.2 suicides per 100 000 residents per year. Lithuanian mental health center statistics projected the rate in 2016 as 29.1. Shotlist Note that shots and sound bites are not from today, but recent Shots of Santariskes children hospital in Vilnius Sound bite (Lithuanian), IRINA BLAZIENE, psychologist at Vilnius city psychological-pedagogical agency: Drawings such as butterflies or whales. These drawings can be found not only on textbooks, but on child's body as well, usually on arms. Shots of journalist looking at stories about Blue Whale on PC Sound bite (Lithuanian), RAMUNAS MATONIS, Pressman of Lithuanian Police: There was a case in Alytus, where a girl was removed from the bridge as if she wanted to jump from that bridge claiming she wanted to accomplish the task. Police officers promptly reacted and took her away from that bridge. Volunteers at 'Child Line' providing anonymous help to children by phone and on-line Sound bite (Lithuanian), RYTIS RAKAUSKAS, Consultant at Child Line: Overall, twits are the most frequent topic if we count those who seek help by phone. We get a phone call about twits almost every day, during each shift. Cutaway Sound bite (Lithuanian), RYTIS RAKAUSKAS, Consultant at Child Line: There were cases when children did contact teachers and nothing changed. Then we have an opportunity to reach other agency which can take actions such as visiting the school, finding out the situation and changing it. President Dalia Grybauskaite meets volunteers at 'Child Line' Sound bite (Lithuanian), DALIA GRYBAUSKAITE, President of Lithuania: Of course, each of us can be a volunteer like them and those who do not have time for that can help financially. I personally myself dedicated two percent of income tax that is allowable to choose where to transfer it. I chose Child line and made that second time in a row, because I think it does extremely important work as it saves our children lives. More of 'Child line'