Bullying played part in boy's suicide

Bullying played a "significant role" in a 14-year-old boy's decision to commit suicide, a coroner has found.

Alex Wildman took his own life on July 25, 2008 at his family's home at Goonellabah, near Lismore.

The inquest, which was held in Ballina, was told the Kadina High School student committed suicide after intense bullying by peers.

Counsel assisting the coroner Peter Hamill SC said Alex had been bullied at school and on the internet and was bashed at least twice in the weeks leading up to his death.

One of those incidents was recorded on a mobile phone.

Alex had also been bullied at Sydney high schools before moving to the new school in a bid to escape it, the inquest heard.

Deputy State Coroner Malcolm MacPherson handed down his findings in Sydney on Thursday, saying a number of factors caused Alex's death.

"Whilst I have no doubt (bullying) played a significant role in his decision to take his own life ... there were other factors at play," Mr MacPherson told Glebe Coroner's Court.

He said Alex had not been seen by a school counsellor and his teachers at Kadina had not been told about previous bullying incidents in Sydney.

Mr MacPherson recommended the NSW Department of Education ensure students at large high schools have access to full-time school counsellors.

He also recommended high schools in NSW have a dedicated email address or a mobile phone number to report bullying.

Alex's family was present for the findings.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 131114 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263).

how horrible.

i hope those kids realise that they caused HIS death.

that makes me so mad that they drove him to that.

it is very sad. What has this world come too when a 14 yr old takes his own life due to bullying

it is very sad, also make me wonder why his parents didnt raise the issue of previous bullying when he moved schools, the principal wouldn't have had the right to disclose it to students so they wouldnt have known, but when further bullying occured, more action may have been taken??