A family from Utah in the United States have been left devastated after their 12-year-old son committed suicide after he was allegedly bullied for more than a year by one of his classmates.
According to reports, Drayke Hardman’s body was discovered by his sister on Wednesday, 9 February, two days after he returned home from school with a black eye.
The US Sun reported that at the time, Hardman told his sister that the blue eye was the result of a physical altercation with a fellow classmate, however, when his parents Sammie and Andrew questioned him about it, he indicated that “snitches get stitches” (People who snitch will in return receive repercussions).
In a recent interview with KUTV CBS 2, Sammie also indicated that they had tried to step in to help their son by contacting the school, which have already suspended the alleged bully.
The heartbroken mother said, she repeatedly checked on her son’s mental health and even asked him if he was having suicidal thoughts, however, Drayke assured her that he wasn’t, KUTV reported.
Also read: Child wants to commit suicide after intense bullying
Now days later, after his death, his mother Sammie shared a now-viral, heartbreaking Instagram post detailing her son’s story alongside pictures of him in the hospital.
“My handsome boy was fighting a battle that not even I could save him. It is real, it is silent and there is nothing absolutely nothing as a parent you can do to take this deep hurt away.
“There are no signs, only hurtful words of others that ultimately stole our Drayke from this cruel place,” the post read.
(Trigger warning- graphic)
In a recent. interview with KUTV CBS 2 Sammie indicated that they had tried to step in to help their son by contacting the school, who already suspended the alleged bully.
Meanwhile, a clinical psychologist from the Western Cape, Nicolize Nepgen has urged parents and guardians to talk to teenagers about their mental health.
“According to the World Health Organisation, depression is globally the third highest disease burden amongst adolescents and suicide the second leading cause of death in 15- to 29-year-olds, while the South African Depression and Anxiety Group states that 9% of teenage deaths in the country are due to suicide,” Nepgen said.
The Stikland Hospital psychologist further mentioned that understanding the signs of depression and talking about mental health is key to preventing suicide.
“Communities that have insight into this serious matter can assist with the prevention of suicide. Prevention of teen suicides starts with a better understanding of the symptoms of depression. Most people with depression are not suicidal, but most suicidal people are depressed,” Nepgen explained.
The Western Cape kicked off Teenage Suicide Prevention Week on Monday, 14 February until the 21st.
Also read: 19 suicides in less than 2 years – are we missing the signs?
Here are a few “warning” signs, as per SADAG.
Be concerned about depressed persons if at least five of the following symptoms:
- Depressed mood
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Change in appetite or weight
- Speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach or guilt thoughts of death or suicide
Additional factors that point to an increased risk for suicide in depressed individuals are:
- Extreme anxiety, agitation or enraged behaviour
- Excessive drug and/or alcohol use or abuse
- History of physical or emotional illness
- Feelings of hopelessness or desperation
Taking these signs seriously is serious. 75% of all suicides give some warning of their intentions to a friend or family member.
Suicide shouldn’t be a secret and the taboo which surrounds it needs to be de-stigmatised in order to create a safe place for those suffering to come forward without fear of judgment.
“We cannot measure the value of life cut short by suicide. We cannot calculate the impact a person might have had on the world around them or on the people whose lives they may have touched. But through a partnership between survivors, business and community leaders, scientists and dedicated individuals we can vanish this needless tragedy,” said SADAG.
Emergency helpline numbers:
- Dr Reddy’s Help Line
0800 21 22 23 - Cipla 24hr Mental Health Helpline
0800 456 789 - Adcock Ingram Depression and Anxiety Helpline
0800 70 80 90 - Suicide Crisis Line
0800 567 567 - SADAG Mental Health Line
011 234 4837 - Akeso Psychiatric Response Unit 24 Hour
0861 435 787 - Cipla Whatsapp Chat Line
076 882 2775
For more information, from signs, warnings, triggers and assistance, to post-traumatic follow-ups for family members, I urge you to visit SADAG’s website. Here you’ll find an abundance of resources.
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Picture: GoFundMe/Nate Eye
