Health & Fitness
More on Kenny Wolf
The battle to prevent teen suicide continues. This one is too close to home. If we all do just a little, we can bring this sad chapter to an end. I believe that.
Every teen suicide is hard to take. Each time I write about another one, it takes another piece of my own soul. And, there are some that I take very, very hard. Jamie Hubley, for example, hit me like the ton of bricks. To be sure, it was his suicide in October that led me to embark upon this campaign to make a change. Kenny Wolf's recent suicide hit me as hard, if not harder. He was right here in my back yard, right there from my old neighborhood. I know it's counterproductive to blame myself at all, but I can't help but wonder ... with me doing this right here in Maryland, why wasn't this blog or the facebook blog page reaching him? And, if it was, what could I have done differently with it to prevent this from happening?
Second-guessing aside, I have some vital updates about Kenny. Firstly, all reports of age were wrong: Kenny wasn't 17, as originally reported, nor even 16 as it was later reported. Kenny was just 14 years old. Secondly, his event wasn't Thursday, the 5th. It happened Friday, the 6th. Thirdly, I have a link for those who would like to leave their personal condolences for the family and friends. It goes without saying that this is an extraordinarily tough period for Kenny's family and friends. Indeed, for the entire community. Letting them know that there are those of us around the world who are mourning Kenny right along with them will, I'm sure, help with their healing process.
Lastly, I can't stress enough that if you or someone you know is struggling with depression, or any mental issues, bullying, and/or suicidal ideations, please, please, please reach out!! There are many people, professional and non-professional alike, ready to reach back.
Suicide Support
STOP Teenage Suicide
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Befrienders
With this tragic event being right here in my backyard, I'm redoubling my efforts to reach out and bring this epidemic to an abrupt end. Sadly, of course, it's not going to bring Kenny back. Or, any of the other teens who ended their lives far too soon. But, it will, hopefully, prevent another family from having to go through what Kenny's is going through right now. That's my promise.