Bullying and suicide
On April 6, just before dinner, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, a Massachusetts boy who had endured relentless homophobic taunts at school, wrapped an extension cord around his tiny neck and hanged himself. He was only 11 years old. His mother had to cut him down.
On April 16, just after school, Jaheem Herrera, a Georgia boy who had also endured relentless homophobic taunts at school, wrapped a fabric belt around his tiny neck and hanged himself as well. He too was only 11 years old. His 10-year-old sister found him.
Two beaming little boys, lost. To intolerance? Too tragic.
....
A July study conducted by researchers at Yale School of Medicine that was published in the International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health reviewed 37 other studies from 13 countries and found “signs of an apparent connection” between bullying and suicide. From a statement issued about the report:
“Almost all of the studies found connections between being bullied and suicidal thoughts among children. Five reported that bullying victims were two to nine times more likely to report suicidal thoughts than other children were.”
...the study also found that “the perpetrators who are the bullies also have an increased risk for suicidal behaviors.” Many bullies are victims too - wounded souls stumbling through life, knocking things over, crying out for help, trying to fill a void.
Read more here.
Charles Gibson reports below:
Perhaps we could add a category to our topics list in honor of this young man. The Why the Gay Man and Lesbian are not fully included in the Sacramental life of the Episcopal Church.
Just a thought.
John-Albert Dickert
Cincinnati, Ohio
Posted by JAD![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 25, 2009 11:43 PM
Though GLBT identity, real or perceived, is a common excuse for bullying, it certainly isn't the only one. Parents, teachers, control those kids, do not turn your face from the reality that your precious angels may in fact be brutal monsters to someone else. Yes, your kids. And yes, this is everyone's business, not just family business, because enough kids are winding up dead here and now, or anti-socially disturbed later, to affect us all.
Posted by Clint Davis![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 26, 2009 7:35 PM