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Teens commit suicide because they feel extremely lonely, desperate and helpless.
Perhaps they had a problem for which they felt there was no solution and that there
was no one to help them. Suicidal teens usually suffer from major depression which
makes them have a dark and gloomy mindset. Depressed teens usually give
warning signs about their suicidal thoughts.
Suicide leaves so many painful questions that families rarely discuss it publicly. But
the parents of Daniel Safrit, an 11-year-old who died by suicide just days ago, will
not remain silent. By speaking up about bullying and the pressures Daniel felt at
school, Jamie Safrit and Scottie Safrit are opening a community-wide dialogue a
dialogue that might save another childs life.
That important discussion got off track when relatives of the boy ambushed new
superintendent Dr. Lynn Moody and demanded instant solutions. But the tragedy of
Daniels death has struck a chord in the community one that empathizes with the
Safrits pain and wants assurances that our schools and community are doing
everything possible to ban bullying.
Daniel entered Erwin Middle School as a sixth-grader this fall. Thats a huge
transition for adolescents, moving from the nurturing environment of elementary
school to the more demanding rigors of middle school. Its an anxious time. Daniels
parents recognized that he was having problems and say they spoke to school
officials about it. But the family saw no change. Daniel attempted suicide in
September, was hospitalized and treated for depression. But even that was not
enough to prevent his death.
What happened at school? What steps did school officials take or not take? How
aggressive was the bullying and did anyone witness it? Did classmates stand up for
Daniel and make him feel included? What if anything could the adults in Daniels life
have done to help him have hope and see a better way out? Does Rowan have
adequate mental health services? Could an antidepressant have played a role in
Daniels death?
The answers may be complicated. Depression is a dark beast. And bullying is not
just a school problem; its a societal one.
Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for teens (after accidents and homicides).
Bullying is just one problem contributing to these suicides, but its one that is cited
with increasing frequency.
The community needs to confront the hurtful things children say and do to each
other and work together to change that behavior.