Verner’s mother Hannele Torniainen’s story is heard in Trauma.
Hannele Torniainen feels that she is still connected to Verner. Over
Verner was an athletic high school student who suddenly became quiet and tired at the start of his senior year. One morning he didn’t want to go to school anymore.
Over the months, Verner’s condition worsened and he developed psychotic symptoms. On the first day of 2016, Verneri committed suicide. He was 18 years old.
Trauma – traces of suicide – program, Verner’s story is told by his mother Hannele Torniainen. In the autumn before her child’s death, she found out what had happened to her. In the spring, Verneri had participated in a sports camp organized at the camp center. According to Verner, it had been somehow “bad”. When her mother asked what exactly had been bad, she was shocked by the answer. It wasn’t about bad food, but much more serious.
– Rape, Verneri had answered his mother.
– He cried and shook, Hannele recalls in the program.
He began to seek help for his son. At the same time, Verneri played sports and tried to prepare for the matriculation exams. His strength was not enough to file a criminal complaint. As an adult, the matter was in Verner’s hands, not Hannele’s.
Jere Tiihonen hosts the Trauma series, where the grief of Finns is made visible. Over
Verner’s death changed everything. Hannele could file a criminal complaint. The mother felt it was important to seek justice for her son, even after the fact. However, it did not lead to action.
– There are no witnesses, Verneri is dead, and of course the accused denies it, so the criminal report dried up to its original elements.
Still, Hannele wants to bring her son’s fate to public awareness. Partly thanks to his efforts, Väestöliitto and various ministries are launching a low-threshold channel for children and young people who play sports. You can use it to report inappropriate treatment.
– So that no one else would have to experience this the same as we did.
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Get help if needed
Phone
You can call Mieli ry’s national crisis hotline anonymously: 09 2525 0111. The crisis hotline is on duty 24 hours a day in Finnish. The Swedish-language line, kristelefon, on 09 2525 0112. Emergency service Monday and Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Crisis Help line in English, 09 2525 0116 Mon and Tue 11am–3pm, Wed 1pm–4pm and 5pm–9pm, Thurs 10am–3pm and Fri 9am–1pm.
For children and young people, the Children’s and young people’s phone of the Mannerheim Child Protection Association is also open in Finnish: 116 111. The children’s and young people’s phone is on duty Mon–Fri from 14:00–20:00 and Sat–Sun from 17:00–20:00. The phone is open every day of the year. The call is completely free and does not appear on the phone bill. In Swedish: 0800 96 116 Mon–Wed 2–5 pm and Thurs 5–8 pm.
Helsinki Mission’s Aamukorva phone service for people over 60 is on duty every morning from 6 to 8 at the number 09 2312 0210.
Network
Online crisis center Tukinet has a real-time Solmussa chat Mon–Thurs 15–19. Support for young people is provided by Sekasin-chat on weekdays from 9 am to midnight and on weekends from 3 pm to midnight.
Through Tukinet, it is also possible to get longer, up to half a year, online chat support.
In addition, the Mannerheim Children’s Protection Association’s Children and Youth Chat is on duty online every day from 17:00 to 20:00.
Comparative support for loved ones of those who have committed suicide: surunauha.net
You can find more instructions regarding assistance here.
Trauma – traces of suicide today on TV1 at 20:00 & Areena. See all TV programs and broadcast times in Telku’s TV guide.