The major of Vitez spoke after the information that four young people took their own lives from 2021 until today, which the competent authorities are still investigating. Three young people were aged 16, one aged 17, and all were residents of the village of Jardol. The last two suicides happened this year, and the first of them in 2021. Journalists were interested in what has been done so far, but also what can be done in the future. Mayor Boris Marjanovic emphasizes that he will be fully available to the families, but also that he himself is shocked by the cases. He received information about the latest tragedy from the media.
“We as a community are deeply shaken by these events. I am relatively often in the field, precisely in that area. We are all surprised,” he began.
He pointed out that each case is a separate story.
”And each one was a surprise. These are normal families and exemplary children. I learned about the last case from the media and I am completely shocked,” he added.
He also discussed the current approach to children in the municipality of Vitez.
“I think that enough is being done in the institutions that are authorized to do so. The municipality, within its jurisdiction, tries to encourage this. We also have a Center for Mental Health as part of the Health Center, a Center for Social Work, we provide support to schools, we are available for all activities that will educate and give positive thinking to the environment”, the mayor said.
He adds that he is in contact with the police authorities. The Travnik Police Department took over the case.
”It has to be investigated. It repeats itself. The best solution would be if we managed to find the causes”, hopes Marjanovic.
He was also asked if he felt ready to talk to the parents.
”Absolutely! Everything I can do and help in any way – I will be completely at your disposal”, promises Marjanovic.
He concluded that these cases should not be kept silent, especially due to the fact, as he said, that there is no guarantee that they will not happen again unless something is done.
Journalists also spoke with the local priest Fr. Velimir Bavrka, who also encourages the discussion about the causes, and as one of them, he sees the promotion of sin and distance from values, N1 reports.
E.Dz.
