Student sets fire to himself at school :(

awful story. made me wonder what made him do this. i don't see anywhere in the story that he was bullied. puzzling....
 
My grandson also told me that when he arrived at school this morning (Friday), several of his classmates were upset and crying. He found out that a student from his high school hanged himself last night! He didn't personally know the student but it was still upsetting.

ugh... what was the reason? do they know?
 
this nation needs to come together and address this issue publicly. this is an unacceptable behavior to deal with whatever they problem they're having.

bullying. cyberbullying. gay students. socially misfits. depression at unstable homes. etc. they need to learn how to cope with the "impossible" issue in a healthy way. The tv is broadcasting way too much more on what they did to commit suicide instead of what they could have done to cope with it. :(
 
Update:

Family of Academic Magnet High School student releases statement on his death
By Adam Parker
Saturday, December 11, 2010

The father of the Academic Magnet High School student who set himself on fire near the school's front entrance this week said his son "was struck with a despair so dark that he could not see beyond it, in spite of the love, support and counseling he received."

...The Williams family created a fund at MUSC to help doctors-in-training. Checks, payable to The MUSC Foundation and earmarked for the Aaron Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund, can be mailed to 261 Calhoun St., Suite 306, MSC 182, Charleston, SC 29425.

Trace Williams appeared briefly before news media Friday to explain his son Aaron's death. Reading from a prepared statement, and citing a letter written by the 16-year-old before his death, Williams said the self-immolation was an attempt "to reach out to as many hearts as possible and to emphasize the importance of living lives of love and compassion."

He said his son's lifelong ambition was to be a doctor and help others.

"Even in the midst of despair, his thoughtful and compassionate nature came through," Williams said.

North Charleston police gave the note to the Williams family, according to the Rev. Rob Dewey of Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy. Dewey has spent time with the family during the past three days and was one of about 45 volunteers, counselors and school officials who converged Friday on Academic Magnet to assist students and faculty.

"It affects so many people," Dewey said.

The complete letter was not made available, but Williams said that his son "was suddenly confused and felt unable to help himself. He then expressed his concern for other kids who might be having feelings like he did, and he said he hoped they could be 'helped in a very confidential manner.' "

In an unrelated incident, a 17-year-old Fort Dorchester High School student took his life Thursday evening, police said. The student was found hanging in his bedroom closet, according to a police report.

Aaron's death shocked the community and prompted a quick response. The second death of a teenager in one week put school officials with Dorchester District 2 and Charleston County School District on high alert.

Mental health experts say teens are among the most vulnerable when it comes to thoughts of suicide, but that opportunities for counseling and intervention are available...

"If an outgoing child becomes withdrawn, or a withdrawn child becomes more hostile," these can be warning signs, she said.

Isolation or expressions of loneliness are other symptoms, along with obsessing about death or finding no joy in a previously enjoyed activity.

A good response is to listen in a non-judgmental way, "not to condemn those feelings but to respect who they are and what they are going through," Burnett said. "Everyone has the potential to be touched by this kind of tragedy."

Aaron Williams was born in 1994 in Fairfield, Calif., according to an obituary. His father is an officer in the Air Force. The family -- Trace and Beth Evelyn Tockey Williams, and their two daughters, Hannah and Hailey -- lives in Mount Pleasant.

Jason Sakran, communications specialist with the Charleston County School District, said he spent most of Friday at Academic Magnet where the atmosphere was somber. Some students played guitars, others consoled one another, he said. "They were trying to be as normal as possible."

Lisa Herring, the school district's director for student support services, coordinated crisis response efforts, Sakran said. Volunteers from the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina joined other clinical and health care professionals on campus, he said. School officials are encouraging a free expression of concerns among students and openness among teachers and staff, he said.

Pat Raynor, communications director for Dorchester District 2, said guidance counselors in the schools are trained to deal with "life issues" and are "already vigilant." But recent events could spark a renewed commitment to training and intervention, she said. "Counselors at Fort Dorchester High School were busy today."

School officials and PTA members have tried to raise awareness of teen crisis and appropriate responses through parent education programs, Raynor said. It's important for parents to stay alert and cooperate with district staff and teachers.

"They need to know the school is a resource for them," she said.

Schuyler Kropf contributed to the report.
Family of Academic Magnet High School student releases statement on his death | The Post and Courier, Charleston SC - News, Sports, Entertainment
 
I think there needs to be more attention brought to the youth themselves on what the warning signs are of a classmate who is depressed and possibly thinking of harming themselves. These are the ones that are more likely to see these signs and pick up on them. Teens more readily confide in their closest friends about their lives rather than their parents. Perhaps an ad campaign on MTV and Teen-Nick to tell students to be aware of such behaviors in their friends and classmates as well as in themselves. If they feel like harming themselves then they should be provided with a number to call immediately to talk to a counselor over the phone or even text with them if the student wishes to be even more discreet if they feel like they need help. They need to know that there is no need to feel ashamed about reaching out for help either for their friends or for themselves.
 
Update:

Authorities: Fort Dorchester High School student hanged self
Staff report
Originally published 02:45 p.m., December 10, 2010
Updated 02:49 p.m., December 10, 2010
How to get help

To find out where to get treatment information or find someone to talk to, contact Trident United Way's 211 Hotline.

Or log on to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's website at www.suicideprevention lifeline.org or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

A 17-year-old Fort Dorchester High School student died after hanging himself in his bedroom closet Thursday night, authorities said.

Police responded to the apartment complex at 8465 Patriot Blvd., at 8:24 p.m. and found the teen hanging in a closet in a back bedroom, according to an North Charleston Police incident report released Friday. The victim’s brother was also at the residence, police said.

EMS rushed him to a local hospital where he later died.

Dorchester County Coroner Chris Nisbet said the death has been ruled a suicide.

Authorities said they do not believe the teen’s death is connected to the death of Aaron Williams, a 16-year-old student at the Academic Magnet High School-School of Arts, who died after he set himself on fire in front of the school.
Authorities: Fort Dorchester High School student hanged self | The Post and Courier, Charleston SC - News, Sports, Entertainment
 
We need to educate youth about depression and suicide prevention. Everyone is so wrapped up in themselves they forget about their classmate who is lonely and hurting. Or classmates are being bullied to death and others just look on and do nothing to stop it. If people stepped outside of their bubble a bit, things like this might not happen as often. I hope those who have been deeply affected by these incidents get the help and counseling they need. I've been down that road, I know how it feels when life keeps kicking you around. You just have to get back up and fight and most importantly reach out and find someone that is willing to help you through whatever battle your facing.
 
It's so hard to know when a depressed person will attempt suicide, even for mental health professionals. Depression is so horrible. It lies and says that there is no hope. Apparently, this person was receiving mental health care. Unfortunately, depression is often a fatal mental illness.

My heart goes out to the family of this young man. I hope that some good comes out of this tragedy.
 
It's so hard to know when a depressed person will attempt suicide, even for mental health professionals. Depression is so horrible. It lies and says that there is no hope. Apparently, this person was receiving mental health care. Unfortunately, depression is often a fatal mental illness.

My heart goes out to the family of this young man. I hope that some good comes out of this tragedy.
Yes, I hope awareness can prevent further tragedies.
 
December 12, 2010
My name is Lisa Connolly and Aaron sat with me and my friend Teddy at our lab table for Anatomy and Physiology at Trident for the Summer semester. He was one of the gang, despite his young age, as he was always willing to help some of the older students, like me. He was sweet and kind and generous. He was a shining star in our class and we all were very fond of him and believed he had a great future ahead of him.

Just one example of his kindness ~ One day one of the women in class was not feeling well, possible due to low sugar levels. Aaron immediately recognized this and before the rest of us new what happened, he was there by her side with a snickers bar! He was one of the most thoughtful people I have ever known. He was always thinking of others. We all encouraged his dream to be a doctor. We all told him we would be his patients!

My heart aches for his family. May God pour his grace and comfort on all of Aaron's family and friends! I will miss him and feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to know him! He was more than just a fellow student. He was a friend.
Aaron Ryan Williams Guest Book: sign their guest book, share your condolences, or read their obituary at Charleston Post & Courier
 
My older grandson told me today that some of the kids at his school knew Aaron. They said that he gave no indication of being depressed or upset.

So often, when someone is insistent upon hurting themselves or another, they become quite skilled at hiding their true feelings so no one will attempt to stop them from their plan. In the case of teenagers, as well, they may not actually be clinically depressed but because they are naturally so impulsive they may get upset by something that happened yesterday and act impulsively on it.

Really a sad sad situation.
 
So often, when someone is insistent upon hurting themselves or another, they become quite skilled at hiding their true feelings so no one will attempt to stop them from their plan. In the case of teenagers, as well, they may not actually be clinically depressed but because they are naturally so impulsive they may get upset by something that happened yesterday and act impulsively on it.

Really a sad sad situation.

From what I know, most of the people who have committed suicide were able to mask their true feelings. Therefore, people wouldn't have noticed the signs. Sure, some of the signs may have been there, but people often don't realize it before it's too late.
 
From what I know, most of the people who have committed suicide were able to mask their true feelings. Therefore, people wouldn't have noticed the signs. Sure, some of the signs may have been there, but people often don't realize it before it's too late.

Exactly. Most completed suicides leave family and friends saying "I just didn't see it coming."
 
i knew a friends husband that did the same. he was bipolar and off his meds. what goes on inside a persons head can drive people to do anything to quiet the voices. really destroys a family
 
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