I’ve had the unfortunate reality of knowing quite a few people around my age that either killed themselves or tried when I was a kid and teen. My school was kno

I’ve had the unfortunate reality of knowing quite a few people around my age that either killed themselves or tried when I was a kid and teen. My school was known for the number of suicides it had and I knew almost all of them. For one it was a cry for help. For the others? They were trapped. Trapped to go to a school where they were bullied every day, for instance. I didn’t know it at the time but I was one of the few people that was at all friendly with him - he was just the guy I talked about Animorphs books with on the bus. There was only one escape that he knew of, and he took it at the age of 11. If you’re a parent and you think your kid might be suicidal, give them an out. Let them skip school occasionally, or go to one of those online schools. Let them know that they can do what they want with their life and they don’t need to live up to your expectations. Whatever they’re feeling trapped by, find an exit with them.