What happens when a child is bullied to the point of hopelessness? For some young people the only escape they see from the pain is violence and revenge, or suicide.   Student Who Felt Bullied Wields Gun On School Bus.... read more   While there is no excuse for the use of violence or threats of violence, we MUST reach out to kids and begin a dialogue with them about the bullying they are experiencing. We must remain alert to the warning signs  and encourage students to talk to someone, rather than suffer in silence. The Oprah Winfrey Show BULLIED TO DEATH Two Devastated Moms Speak Out "Every week in the U.S., 28 teens take their own lives. That's 4 per day!"      IPTV Documentary: Cry for Help (Learn more about Teen Suicide & Suicide Due to Bullying)       ANGER TURNED OUTWARD  Columbine High School Shooting   Bully Rage: Common School-Shooter Misery "Bullying instigated over 40 school shootings that took place during the past decade." Huffington Post   April 20, 1999   Witnesses tell of Columbine bullying (Oct 3, 2000) Denver Post Some parents and students believe a schoolwide indulgence of certain jocks -- their criminal convictions, physical abuse, sexual and racial bullying -- intensified the killers' feelings of powerlessness and galvanized their fantasies of revenge. (June 12, 1999) Washington Post  Since authorities originally thought Harris and Klebold were taking revenge on popular teens for being bullied, officials also got involved in anti-bullying plans. After $10 billion has been spent on security nationwide, one nonprofit says it’s still not enough. A report card on school violence and prevention by Community Matters gives America’s efforts a D-plus. Even though zero-tolerance laws have been passed in more than 28 states, with at least 19 also having anti-bullying legislation, kids are bullying at younger ages and using electronics to do so, the study said. Between 1999 and 2007, the percentage of students who didn’t go to school because of safety concerns increased, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From 2000 to 2005, there was a 50 percent increase in the percentage of youth who were victims of online harassment. (April 20, 2009) Courier Times     "Every week in the U.S., 28 teens take their own lives.  That's 4 per day!"  Watch the IPTV Documentary: Cry for Help Teen Suicide: warning signs and symptoms ~ resources for parents and teens   ANGER TURNED INWARD  Bullycide is defined as "a suicide caused as the result of depression from bullying." Suicide among young people is a serious problem. Each year in the U.S., thousands of teenagers commit suicide. The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center [NYVPRC] reports that suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers - almost 2,000 teens are successful in their attempts to end their lives each year. Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have found signs of an apparent connection between bullying, being bullied and suicide. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is surpassed only by accidents and homicide as the leading cause of death for adolescence 15 - to 24- years of age. Many teenagers have thoughts of death. It is important to take a suicide attempt, or talk of suicide, seriously. While there is no way to reliably figure the exact ratio of attempted suicides to completed suicides, the National Institute of Mental Health believes that as many as 25 suicides are attempted for each one that is completed. That means that for every teen suicide that you hear of, there are probably at least 25 suicide attempts made. And this does not even cover the teenage suicide attempts and completed suicides that are never heard about. Understanding that a teen suicide attempt is a call for help is essential in preventing a completed attempt later.

Parents should be aware of the following signs of adolescents who may try to kill themselves:  change in eating and sleeping habits  withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away drug and alcohol use unusual neglect of personal appearance marked personality change persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc. loss of interest in pleasurable activities not tolerating praise or rewards A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also: complain of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside give verbal hints with statements such as: I won't be a problem for you much longer, Nothing matters, It's no use, and I won't see you again put his or her affairs in order, for example, give away favorite possessions, clean his or her room, throw away important belongings, etc. become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression have signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts) If one or more of these signs occurs, or if a child or adolescent says, I want to kill myself, or I'm going to commit suicide, always take the statement seriously and immediately seek assistance from a qualified mental health professional. Source: American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Teen Suicide, July 2004 (Online) and Teen Suicide (www.teensuicide.us)   IN LOVING MEMORY   Real Faces, Real  Children... Lives Cut Short Due To Bullying      "Exceptionally gifted" 13-year-old bullying victim who dreamed of becoming a pilot hanged herself from a bunk bed using her school tie (June 25, 2008) A vicar conducting the funeral of a boy who hanged himself said his online tormentors murdered him as surely "as if someone has killed him with a gun" (June 24, 2008) Web 'terrorists' killed Emo boy (June 24, 2008) Teenager found dead 'was bullied' (June 23, 2008) 13-year-old suicide over 'emo' cult bullying (June 13, 2008)  Bullying Allegedly Takes Another Victim: Maria Herrera (April 7, 2008) GIRL ADMITS GUILT IN CYBERHOAX (April 1, 2008)  Stephen Patton (November 2007) JON GETTLE: 14 YEAR OLD IOWA STUDENT HANGS HIMSELF AT SCHOOL DUE TO BULLYING  MISSOURI 5TH-GRADER KILLS HIMSELF BECAUSE OF BULLYING (February 2008) JESSICA HAFFER: 14 YEAR OLD FORMERLY FROM LINCOLN, NEBRASKA COMMITS SUICIDE DUE TO BULLYING (please allow extra load time)   My bullied son's last day on Earth: Bullies calling him "gay" and "the virgin" Bullies at school pushed Jaheem Herrera, age 11, over the edge. On April 16th, Jaheem, of Dekalb County, Georgia, was found by his mother and sister hanging by his belt in the closet. Allegations of such severe bullying surprises experts familiar with the school district. It's anti-bullying program was considered exemplary and includes programs to raise awareness and a specially trained liaison. Students are even asked to sign a no-bullying pledge. But other parents told CNN they have complained about bullying as well. Read the whole story on CNN   When Words Can Kill: 'That's So Gay' Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover was 11-- hardly old enough to know his sexuality and yet distraught enough to hang himself last week after school bullies repeatedly called him "gay." The Springfield, Mass., football player and Boy Scout was ruthlessly teased, despite his mother's pleas to the New Leadership Charter School to address the problem Read the whole story on ABC News Anthony "Tony" Michael Cappellano Tony was a victim of bullying at his school. He was the nicest guy you would ever meet. No one knew of his depression, because he would hide it so well. He had played several sports at Westside. Tony’s funeral was held January 14, 2005 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. The outpour of love and support from the entire community was evident as shown by the nearly 1200 people in attendance, the performance by the senior members of the Westside Show Choir, the multiple priests concelebrating the mass, and dozens of magnificent flower arrangements lining the church. The beauty and perfection of the mass mirrored the inner beauty and magnificence of Tony. Birth: Mar. 10, 1987 Omaha Douglas County Nebraska, USA Death:  Jan. 10, 2005 Omaha Douglas County Nebraska, USA Memorial to Tony   Bullying's Tragic Results     Ryan Halligan  12/18/1989 ~ 10/7/2003 Teenager... son... classmate... "bullycide" victim ABC NEWS PRIMETIME: RYAN HALLIGAN; CRUEL KIDS, TRAGIC ENDS RYAN'S WEBSITE     BRANDON CHRIS SWARTWOOD  2/21/82 – 12/16/00  "knowing, that despite all my efforts to save my beloved son, the bullies' job had been done too well. " “While you are going through the system to fight for your child's rights, your child is the one going into the battlefield …and today could be the day that he or she is fatally wounded.” Brandon's mom, Cathy Swartwood Mitchell      JARED BENJAMIN HIGH  09/23/85 – 09/29/98 "Put yourself into the shoes of a victim of bullying.  Every day a child is bullied is an eternity to them. " “It’s your child.  You must fight for him or her.  No one cares like a parent cares ...a parent is motivated by love.” Jared's mom, Brenda High        CORINNE WILSON  - 09/30/91 – 10/06/04  "...It started slowly with rumors, secrets and exclusion; it progressed to harassment and violence." “Don’t be afraid of the school, the teachers or administrators.  You must remember they work for you, and your children.  If you don’t stand up for your child, who will?” Corinne's mom, Rochelle Sides       MATTHEW ALEXANDER EPLING  2/10/88 – 7/16/02 "It is sometimes hard to define when hazing is an assault and when repeated hazing became bullying. In order to make a wider base we wanted to incorporate all of the aspects of bullying, harassment and hazing together into a comprehensive anti bullying plan."  “Don't be fooled. Bullying doesn't have to be repeated, or take place  over a period of time.  Each child is different. Even one traumatic instance can cripple a young mind into a well of despair.” Matt's mom, Tammy Epling        APRIL MICHELLE HIMES -  4/27/86 – 2/14/00 "A person that takes his/her life by suicide is not thinking of themselves or anyone else. A depressed and suicidal person is not thinking - the brain is not functioning well enough to have any real thoughts. There are only feelings. It's all about emotions. You feel sad, upset, unloved, disparity, hopeless, helpless, alone, gloomy, weighted down and rejection." “Bullies WILL cause depression and depression is the  number one cause of suicide.  The signs are there – be aware!” April's mom, Carol Clinton     KRISTINA ARIELLE CALCO 12/26/89 – 12/4/05  "Take one part shy & sensitive, impressionable, naïve young girl and add a lack of self-esteem. Slowly stir in puberty.  Add typical teenage pressures including friends, grades, sports, extracurricular activities and being perpetually on Instant Chat.  Add a daily dose of teasing, ridicule and torment by a group of boys and then garnish with what turns out to be a sexually charged and romantic online relationship with a boy from another high school.  Add to this a seeming inability for intervention in any way, shape or form. Shake well and then let sit." “If you think something is wrong, something is probably wrong. Go with your gut feelings.” Michelle Calco      JEFFREY SCOTT JOHNSTON  12/21/89 – 6/29/05 "With the keyboard as his weapon, the bully violated the sanctity of my home and murdered my child just as surely as if he had crawled through a broken window and choked the life from Jeff with his bare hands. It was not a death that was quick and merciful.  It was carried out with lies, rumors and calculated cruelty portioned out day by day." “A bully doesn’t have to be eye to eye to bully someone.  Sometimes he or she gets into cyberspace, and then there’s no place to hide from their torment.” Debbie Johnston     RATS & BULLIES: THE DAWN-MARIE WESLEY STORY  On November 10, 2000, 14 year old Dawn-Marie Wesley hung herself in her bedroom, with the family dog's leash after being bullied and harassed by her "closest" circle of friends. She left behind a note to her family that referred to the bullying to which she had been subjected: "If I try to get help, it will get worse. They are always looking for a new person to beat up and they are the toughest girls. If I ratted, they would get suspended and there would be no stopping them. I love you all so much." Two girls from her school were charged with uttering threats. One of them was also accused of criminal harassment. Their identities are protected because they were prosecuted under Canada's Young Offenders Act. The 16-year-old who was found guilty of both charges Monday will undergo four to six weeks of assessments before a judge imposes a sentence.     The Book: Bullycide in America, Moms Speak Out This is a book of real stories about real kids. Kids who took their own lives because they thought it was their only way out of a hopeless situation. It is about the tragic choices they made in an effort to end the pain - when they believed there was no other solution.       ABC NEWS PRIMETIME: RYAN HALLIGAN, CRUEL KIDS, TRAGIC ENDS   BULLIED TEEN ATTEMPTS SUICIDE, LEFT PERMANENTLY BRAIN DAMAGED   THE MEGAN MAIER STORY: SUICIDE AFTER CYBERBULLYING   15-YEAR OLD JOSHUA MELO DIED BY SUICIDE AFTER BEING RELENTLESSLY BULLIED    DANIEL SCRUGGS: 60 MINUTES; SUICIDE OF A 12 YEAR OLD 1/2/02     EMMET FRALIK GILLES MOREAU CASSIE GIELECKI JOKIM CEBERIO DANIEL KIDNEY THOMAS THOMPSON SIAN YATES JONATHAN REYNOLDS PAUL MORAN SHAUN NOONAN TRAVIS SLEEVA VIJAY SINGH JAMES ROGERS KASEY HONE LAURA RHODES GARY HANSEN MYLES NEUTS JULIAN'S STORY NICOLA RAPHAEL ALEX TEKA HAMED NASTOH  DESIRE' NICOLE DREYER   BEN VODEN STEPHEN AYRES HOLLY CHAPMAN AIMEE WELLOCK  KELLY YEOMANS  BRICE EDWARDS  LUKE WALMSLEY  CHELSEY E. SHORES  SHANE WILDE  ANNA MARIE AVERILL  MATT RUDDENKLAU  PAUL McCAULEY  MATTHEW GILMAN  NATHAN JONES  LEE MORRIS  HWANG AGE  ORAN SAYE  JEFF WEISE  GARY HANSEN  DAVID BERRY  DARREN STEELE  DEVON HUSK  DAMILOLA TAYLOR  NATALIE SMITH  KYLE JONES  VELIA HUERTA VICTORINO  JEREMY SECORD  BRIAN HEAD  CURTIS TAYLOR  MARLENE SHANKS  JACK GLASBY  EMMA MORRISON  KARL PEART  LAURA RHODES  ADAM GRIGG  JAMIE CARL SELL  AMY TIPTON  TOM BROUGH  MATTHEW BIBBY  SCOTT YOUNG  BRIAN FRANKISH  CHRISTOPHER O'REILLY  SARAH HARRISON  HANNAH TAYLERSON  LAURA KALIBARDA  REENA VIRK  MORGAN MUSSON  ERIC HARRIS  DYLAN KLEBOLD  DAVID TUCK  JAMIE EVANS  LAURA GRIMES  SUZY BARCLAY  ELAINE SWIFF  MARIANNE SHENKS  NICOLA RAPHAEL  BEN BROWNLEE  TEMPEST SMITH  OLIVER SABINE  GAIL JONES  JEVAN RICHARDSON  KAYLEIGH DAVIES  EMMA ROBERTSON  GEMMA DIMMICK  DENISE BAILIE  JOSH BELLUARDO  GEORGE GOODALL  MICHAEL GOURLEY  NIKKI SIELAIMAN  CHRISTOPHER JOYER  KERBY CASEY GUERRA  DANIEL MOLE  JEMMA BRINE-DANIELS  ALLISTAIR HUNTER  NEIL GADD  WHITNEY GRIFFITHS  STEVE SHEPHARD  MARIE BENTHAM  ANTHONY HUTCHINSON  DANIELLE GOSS  MARIE McGOVERN  DEBBIE SHAW  ROGER HILLYARD  SAMANTHA KENDAL  MICHAELA KENDAL  BJORK HINMAN  STEPHEN WOODHALL  JOANNA CANLIN  AMANDA BROWNRIDGE  STEPHEN SANDON  LUCY FORRESTER  PETER EVANS  GREG DOUCETTE  HANNAH KIRKHAN  LYNETTE McLAUGHLIN  AARON ARMSTRONG  JAMES ROGERS  MARK HARVEY  MARK MACLAGLAN  MARIANNE BISENIEKS  KURT COBAIN  NEIL ROSS  KELLY FARRAR  MARK PERRY  JAMES LAMBETH  MARTIN HARVEY  DANIEL OVERFIELD  KATHERINE JANE MORRISON  JEREMY WADE DELLE  MARC HAEP

The BAPA is a project of Anchors of Hope, a 501(c)3 registered with the State of Iowa. Private donations are a large part of the funding that  allows us to continue to help keep children safe, online and offline. Your contributions are greatly appreciated, and are tax deductible. To donate easily and safely online, please click here.

The Bullying Awareness & Prevention Alliance

 is proud to partner with the following trusted organizations...    

'Take A Stand. Lend A Hand. Stop Bullying Now!' National Campaign. For more information, visit www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov.

The National Crime Prevention Council helps people keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from crime. For more information, visit http://www.ncpc.org/topics/bullying

Take advantage of the Cox Communications “Take Charge!” program. Manage what your kids see, AND DON’T SEE, on TV and the Internet. For more information, visit www.cox.com/ takecharge/

PACER Center was created by parents of children and youth with disabilities to help other parents and families facing similar challenges. For more information, visit http://www.pacer.org/bullying/index.asp

Copyright © 2008, Bullying Awareness & Prevention Alliance. No part of this website or its information may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the Bullying Awareness & Prevention Alliance.  All rights reserved.