Between 2018 and 2024, Latvia lost 112 children and young people under the age of 25 who committed suicide. Every death leaves a heavy mark on a wide circle of people. A year has passed since Kristers Nenišķis from Jēkabpils took his own life.
Kristeras Neniškis will always be fifteen. Smart, athletic, helpful and very responsible – just like a young man, not a boy, his mother says.
“He wrote this at school in December. That you shouldn’t give up. You shouldn’t doubt or hesitate, but take action and dare. But something broke him,” said Kristers’ mother Inese Nenišķe.
Krister’s motorbike, which he was allowed to ride after his 16th birthday, remains undriven. “None of us ride that motorbike because it was bought for Kristers. He was really looking forward to his 16th birthday when he could ride it,” the boy’s mother says.
Inese has several other children. Kristers was the middle child. The family played sports both together and separately. Kristers was passionate about both running and football.
The family is left with unanswered questions about why this happened. The autopsy did not reveal any evidence of substance abuse. The boy had also done well at school.
No one suspected the approaching disaster. Not the family, not the school. “The class teacher is still hurting from this,” said Inese.
During this year of mourning, many parents whose children have talked about ending their lives have sought help from Inese. She was amazed at how many children in her immediate area need help.
But in her opinion, they don’t get as much of it as they should. Inese also believes that the new school testing system puts too much additional stress on children, and doesn’t allow them to make mistakes. Not everyone can handle it.
“Not only do I take responsibility for the fact that my child has gone, but the entire society must take responsibility when a child goes, because too many children are going. This means that there is something wrong with the country, it is really wrong. And, as I say, we have research after research, but we have no solution. In general, no support mechanisms are offered, first of all – also for families who have left. We personally received absolutely no support,” said Inese.
She said that when she realized she couldn’t cope, she sought help herself. The crisis and counseling center “Skalbes” helped her overcome the initial crisis. This help is provided 24/7.
Talking can be the first step to preventing suicide. Do not leave a person who is having suicidal thoughts alone until you have arranged help for them. Call the 24-hour crisis center at 67222922 or 27722292, and for emergency medical assistance at 113, or arrange a visit to a psychiatrist or family doctor.
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