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There have been four teen-suicides in five months outside Albany this school year since November 25. The four children, all girls, attended the same high school, Schenectady High School. The latest suicide, a 14-year-old cheerleader, took place last Thursday night. All the girls were black and from the same area of Schenectady. It is not clear whether they were friends.
A suicide cluster is a group of suicides whose victims have one thing in common. In this case, the girls were all students at the same school. "What we are finding is that victims of cluster suicides are usually not best friends, but they know each other, or have heard of each other," according to Professor Madelyn Gould from Columbia University, who has studied the problem in depth.
“This is not a community problem, this is not a church problem, this is a school problem, and this is becoming a school epidemic because everyone that has done this is from Schenectady High," said Rev. Veron House, pastor of the Life Changes World Ministries in Schenectady.
The school superintendent, Eric Ely, begs to differ: "We're not the parents of these children," Ely said. "We have them a third of the time, parents have them two thirds of the time. We're going to do everything we can to keep it from happening. But ultimately, when a child goes home and takes their life, there's not a whole lot a school employee can do about that."
Janell Johnson, 15, at a grief-counseling meeting last night, said that after each suicide, teachers read a note to students and then discussed the suicide at length. Afterward, it was the sole topic of conversation among students. “It becomes the center of attention,” she said.
One of the suicide cluster prevention guidelines listed by the US Center for Disease Control—“Avoid Glorifying Suicides.” For more suicide cluster prevention recommendations, click here.
While the causes of suicide clusters are complex, one thing that is certain is the violence and hopelessness in these teens’ lives. About 30 Schenectady students met with suicide researcher and expert Robert Macy, who said afterward, “They [the children] don’t feel safe.”
“Just help us,” said Ms. Johnson. “We need help.”
Comments
We have really neglected our childrens mental health needs. How sad a Revernd would say they are not responsible for the emotional wellbeing of a child.
Thanks for picking up this cluster of teen suicides.
Of course, the superintendent is right that it’s a huge problem and not entirely the school’s fault. But he’s alienated the community whose support he needs to do his part to solve the part of the problem at school.
That superintendent is positioned perfectly to make a significant difference. And he’s blowing the opportunity that is legitimately his; he has responsibility, leadership and authority. He should jump in with both feet to do his share of the solution.
Disclosure: I’m the author of the books and CDs “How to Stop Bullies in Their Tracks” and “Parenting Bully-Proof Kids.” I’m available for coaching, consulting and speaking. To find practical, real-world tactics to stop bullies and bullying at home, school, work and in relationships, see my web site and blog at BulliesBeGone.
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