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Student attempts suicide six times after move to US

A US high school has requested that a Taiwanese student be returned to Taiwan for medical treatment after he tried to commit suicide six times in the past year.

On each attempt, he was discovered by his parents, who saved him from death.

According to a media report yesterday, the 17-year-old student, who moved to the US last year with his parents, could not adjust to his new environment and drastic changes in his lifestyle.

His suicidal behavior shocked the US high school he attends, which requested that his parents take him back to Taiwan for the summer so that he could be examined and recuperate before the next school year.

Yo Wen-zhr (游文治), a doctor in the department of mental and physical health of the Linhsin Hospital (林新醫院) in Taichung, described the parents as always wanting the best for their son, but lacking open communication with him. Yo said facing pressure from parents' high expectations, it is easy for an adolescent to resort to suicide.

"The parents should definitely be alarmed," Yo said.

Yo said that the youth was actually a gifted and talented student in Taiwan. With hopes of providing him with an even better environment, his parents moved the family to the US last year.

However, the student faced problems from both his inability to adjust to the new environment and the instability of his relationship with his parents, caused by differing views and opinions.

Nonetheless, Yo said the student maintained a good attitude toward his parents, while mentally shouldering the entire burden of his family's problems.

"Without abundant open and productive communication, the student chose suicide as a way to escape from his problems," Yo said.

The US high school requested that he obtain treatment in Taiwan before he returned to school in the next school year and the parents have asked Linhsin Hospital for help.

Yo said the hospital had discovered another similar case involving a student under pressure from his parents. This student attended a top high school in Taiwan and his parents demanded that he achieve the highest grades.

Facing pressure from exams and failing to meet the high standards his parents set, this student took to beating his mother as a way to let off steam.

His parents are now questioning whether or not he may have a mental disorder.

"Pressures on adolescents is increasing daily, in every society. The lessons parents teach their children should not only involve doing well in their studies. Children need to learn how to handle pressure and solve social problems. Parents need to practice open communication and make sure their children are not facing the responsibilities of an adult at too early an age," Yo said.

Awareness of your child's emotional condition will prevent a tragedy," he said.
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