Some 40 Romanian kids committed suicide after moms emigrated

Rome - Since 2008, some 40 Romanian minors have committed suicide after their mothers emigrated in search of work, a Romanian women's group told a Lower House conference on Friday.
    Currently there are two million immigrant families living in Italy, and 75% of the women have left their children in their home country for economic reasons, according to the Romanian Women in Italy Association (ADRI). The suffering that separation causes what psychologists have dubbed "Italy Syndrome", a severe form of depression affecting both the mothers, many of whom work as nannies or caring for elderly people, and the children, the so-called "white orphans" of emigrant mothers.
    "Taking care of other people's children while one's own child is thousands of miles away tears away at you," said ADRI President Silvia Dimitrache.
    "This issue needs to be talked about more," said conference organizer Khalid Chaouki, an MP from the ruling Democratic Party who is an outspoken defender of immigrants' rights.
    Soleterre, a humanitarian NGO that works with immigrants, called on the government to set up an observatory on family reunions.