What The Hell!

What is going on??? Another child in the town I live in has committed suicide on Wednesday! I talked to Zachary's counselor and this boy was at another middle school and was in the same program as my son. I don't get it, such young lives, it this becoming and epidemic? My son hasn't stopped talking about the first kid, this other boy he doesn't know so I think the chatter will be light. But quite honestly, I wish he would stop talking about this other kid.

Signs and Steps

These last couple days there has been a lot of talk about this boy who committed suicide. The boys in my son's class have spent a lot of time talking about different signs, how they may feel and what they should do if they had a friend who may be talking about wanting to commit suicide. I think it is a great thing, it's not like puberty, you know, something you MUST discuss. For me it is one of those conversations I hoped to NEVER have with Zachary. I am glad though that the program my son is in brought in counselors to talk to them.


Warning Signs for Suicide
Suicidal talk
Preoccupation with death and dying
Signs of depression
Behavioral changes
Giving away special possessions and making arrangements to take care of unfinished business
Difficulty with appetite and sleep
Taking excessive risks
Increased drug use
Loss of interest in usual activities


Three steps teens can take
Take your friend’s actions seriously
Encourage your friend to seek professional help, accompany if necessary
Talk to an adult you trust. Don’t be alone in helping your friend

Very Sad Day

Yesterday my son calls me when he gets home from school and I could hear a that he was a bit agitated. Immediately he told me of a schoolmate, when he told me the name I remembered it from last year and seeing as Zachary is in a special class away from the mainstream this year I hadn't heard the name at all.

This boy, and 8th grader, one year older than my son, had committed suicide the night before. It was a shock to me, I know that kids feel bad about themselves and their situations, and it is not like I hadn't heard of a child doing this before, I guess it is just that it was never so close to home.

I saddens me that a child could feel so badly about themselves and feel so bad that for them life is not worth living. Made me wonder, did he give any warning signs, was he getting help, did his only parent care and where is his other parent? There is no hiding the fact that there are a lot of parents who may love their kids but are more wrapped up in other things to see the situation at hand.

My son gets mad at me a lot because he has to be home at a certain time and he needs to check in with me. He says some of his friends make fun of him for it and for me, I don't care that his friends make fun of him, unfortunately a few of his friends are allowed to come and go as they please. In his class their is a 6th grader who is allowed to do what he wants! He comes home when he pleases and has no responsibilities, doesn't always show up for school. In my son's own words "His mom doesn't care about him." To clarify that statement I asked Zachary if she didn't care bout what he did and they reply was gut wrenching "No Mom, his mom does not care about him at all!"

My heart goes out to this family that just lost their son. I don't know the situation and I am not hear to judge or assume what family life was like. A lot of families that look happy on the outside are not behind close doors. Your child is at peace right now and the demons that got a hold of him can no longer eat away at his young soul. Remember him for who he was, love and cherish your memories...