Letter to the editor: No room for blame in suicide

A boy died by suicide at Franklin Regional High School Sept. 14. Parents lost their son. Kids lost their friend. Teachers lost their favorite student.

Shockingly, social media posts said things like “could have been prevented,” “parents should have done something” and “behavioral health makes them like zombies. You cannot save them.”

Parents can do everything right; we still lose people. I know because I told my mom everything. But I never shared when I told a therapist, “I almost walked in front of a bus on the way here. I need help.” I had support and still almost took that step off the curb. I was a lucky one.

I lost a friend to suicide. I was not there for her. Blaming myself or anyone else does not bring her back, but I still regret I was not there. And I miss her every day.

Blaming people in her life, creating rumors and saying “can’t be saved” help nothing. There is no place for it and it’s a horrible example for our children.

That night, I cried for my friend, the family and our community that lambasts parents who lost their son 12 hours earlier. Do better people. Do better!

McCrae Martino

Murrysville