Devastated father reveals the horrifying reason he believes his son took his own life
Devastated dad reveals the sad reason he believes his son took his own life just weeks before another Catholic schoolboy committed suicide in mysterious circumstances
- ‘Happy’ Catholic schoolboy Jonah Waterson, 14, took his own life on May 31
- His father Peter Waterson revealed his son wasn’t coping well with COVID-19
- Seven weeks after Jonah took his own life another schoolboy killed himself
By Claudia Poposki For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 15:59 BST, 29 August 2020 | Updated: 15:59 BST, 29 August 2020
The father of one of the teenagers who committed suicide at one of Brisbane‘s largest independent Catholic schools believes COVID-19 contributed to his son’s death.
Jonah Waterson, 14, and Finn Meehan, 15, both appeared ‘happy’ and came from tight-knit, loving families.
But during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, something changed for the Iona College students in Brisbane’s bayside area.
Jonah ended his life on May 31 after telling his parents he was going on a bike ride while Finn died seven weeks later.
Jonah’s parents, Peter and Fiona Waterson said their son wasn’t depressed and showed no tell-tale signs of poor mental health such as emotional outbursts or withdrawing from family and friends.
Jonah’s Watson’s parents, Peter and Fiona Waterson said their son was the ‘happiest they’d seen him’ in the days before his death
But Jonah’s parents did say their son wasn’t coping well with COVID-19 and lockdown.
‘To me, it doesn’t make sense [to blame] COVID – it didn’t affect us too much financially because my hours were only temporarily cut back, and Jonah’s sport had resumed and he’d had an awesome week at school,’ Mr Waterson told The Courier Mail.
‘But by the same token, it doesn’t make sense for any other reason.’
Mrs Waterson, 53, said even if someone had a crystal ball and told her what would happen to their son she wouldn’t believe them.
She said Jonah was extremely happy the week of his death as he had finally returned to school since the March COVID-19 shutdown.
‘He didn’t enjoy COVID. He’d get his work done at home then go outside and play basketball, and at one stage he said, “Oh Mum, this is terrible”, but his first week back at school, he was like a different kid,’ she said.
Mrs Waterson said her son was looking forward to basketball trials and playing volleyball.
Mr Waterson said his son wasn’t coping well with COVID-19 and lockdown before he died
Three steps for parents
Parents are often conflicted about whether to bring up the issue of mental health with their children, with the fear it could make the situation even worse.
But mental health experts say it’s always better reach out.
Below are three easy steps you can follow.
*Notice: changes in behaviour, including eating, sleeping, and withdrawing from friends and family.
*Inquire: Use sensitivity and compassion when asking how a child is feeling.
*Provide: Information on support, including talking with a relative, friend, or GP.
Source: Headspace Schools
Jonah was playing Xbox in his bedroom while his mother put some newly washed clothes away.
Mrs Waterson received a text message saying members of Jonah’s AFL team would be meeting at the local oval for a catch up.
Jonah initially didn’t want to go but his mother said he should, so he conceded on the condition he could go on a bike ride first.
The teenager had promised to be home by 1pm but when he wasn’t home by 1.50pm, the family began to worry.
They called his mobile which initially rang out before being answered by a police officer.
The policeman asked who was calling the phone and what Jonah had been wearing when he left the house.
The family were eventually provided with CCTV images of Jonah’s final moments, and days later his death was ruled a suicide.
Seven weeks after the community was rocked by Jonah’s death, Year 10 student Finn Meehan also took his own life in mysterious and unexpected circumstances.
Mr and Mrs Waterson said Jonah’s friends have been very supportive and often drop by to check on them.
The couple believe they will see Jonah again one day in heaven and want to help other kids and families in the meantime.
Finn Meehan, a popular Year 10 student, took his own life on July 20 just weeks after Jonah
Two mysterious teenage suicides just weeks apart have rocked Queensland’s largest independent Catholic school. Pictured: Iona College students in Brisbane’s bayside area
Father Michael Twigg said the death of two of the school’s students was a ‘diabolical mystery’.
He said there was no apparent bullying of either of the students while they were at the school and they both came from loving families.
Father Twigg said asking for signs of what were missed could haunt people for decades.
