By Sophie Pappas
Tragedy struck at 10 p.m., April 25, when a Zionsville Middle School 8th grader hung himself inside the basement of his parents’ Zionsville home.
After his parents called the Zionsville Police Dept., he was rushed to St. Vincent Hospital where he passed away in the early morning hours of April 26.
“Holding [the boy’s]family in supportive thought and prayer as they grieve is imperative just now,” said Zionsville Community School Corp. Supt., Scott Robison.
Shock and grief has overwhelmed the community, with school officials now desperate to help other students suffering from mental anguish or suicidal thoughts.
“These are difficult times for all, especially teenagers, so please be sensitive to their needs,” said Zionsville West Middle School Principal, Kris Devereaux, in an email to all teaching staff.
A shared video
Since news of the boy’s death, facts beneath the surface are coming to light as to what may have caused a young teenager to take his own life.
On April 27, just one day after the boy’s death, Zionsville Police Dept. reported that another ZCS student was considering a self-destructive act.
Robison said that this student is now receiving psychological help.
“ZCS is working with a local clinical psychologist whose professional practice involves adolescent and young adult clients from our immediate area,” Robison said.
On April 28, the first school day that Zionsville Middle School was open after the suicide, teachers and middle school parents became aware of a video taken by the deceased student two days before his suicide. The video, which is eight minutes long, was uploaded by the student onto the Google Plus Video website.
From there, his classmates began sharing clips of the video on Google Plus and Instagram. Some were even commenting on the video only hours before his death.
School and police officials have neither confirmed nor denied that bullying or ridicule on social media was a cause in the boy’s death, but the video does show him discussing suicide.
“We do not know and cannot find out how many of our students have viewed and or re-posted the video,” Robison said.
For now, school officials are encouraging all parents and guardians to be mindful when it comes to dealing with sensitive adolescent behavioral and mental situations.
“Of course, ZCS school counselors remain available for students throughout each school day,” Robison said.
Prevention
Zionsville Community School Corp. teamed together with The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide in order to combat self-destructive acts and adolescent suicide.
Below are ways to approach a child or teen about the subject of suicide.
- Think about what you want to say ahead of time and rehearse a script if necessary. It always helps to have a reference point: (“I received a notice of some students who have had suicidal thinking and attempts”)
- Be honest. If this is a hard subject for you to talk about, admit it! (“You know, I never thought this was something I’d be talking with you about, but I think it’s really important.”) By acknowledging your discomfort, you give your child permission to acknowledge his/her discomfort, too.
- Ask for your child’s response. Be direct! (“What do you think about suicide?”; “Is it something that any of your friends talk about?”; “The statistics make it sound pretty common. Have you ever thought about it? What about your friends?”)
- Listen to what your child has to say. You’ve asked the questions, so simply consider your child’s answers. If you hear something that worries you, be honest about that too. ”What you’re telling me has really gotten my attention.”
- Don’t overreact or under react. Overreaction will close off any future communication on the subject. Under reacting, especially in relation to suicide, is often just a way to make ourselves feel better. Any thoughts or talk of suicide (“I felt that way awhile ago but don’t any more.”) should always be revisited.
