Grieving mother of boy, 13, who killed himself on first day of school urged parents to 'check on your kids'
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
WENDELL, NORTH CAROLINA: The grieving mother of a 13-year-old boy from North Carolina who killed himself in a restroom on his first day of school has explained that her son had endured years of bullying. She urged other parents to promote kindness in their children. Austin Pendergrass was found dead on his first day of eighth grade in a restroom at Wendell Middle School on September 6. According to CBS17, Austin’s mother, Jessica Pendergrass told WRAL, “The signs were there but the bullying, it was so bad. Just teach your kids to be kind because kids can be so cruel.” "I just wish Austin knew all these people were here to support [him]. I just wish he didn't feel so alone," she added.
She expressed her hope that his death would prompt other parents to 'to check on their kids.' She said, "I know we try to give them some space because they're just trying to find themselves as teenagers but check their social media and phones. Make sure you're sitting down with them and listening to them...you just can't ignore those signs. You have to be the one to fight for your kid." Austin's aunt, Jessica Harris, also referenced bullying, telling WRAL, “It’s such a shame that my nephew had to encounter what he did going to the school” and that “the school failed him.” “It’s really sad that he left us, and we will forever cherish all the memories, but unfortunately nothing is going to bring our baby back. Nothing,” she added.
RELATED ARTICLES
McKenna Brown: Couple launch McKenna Way to help others as daughter, 16, dies by suicide
On her Facebook post, Pendergrass also advised people to 'hug their kids tighter.' The post reads, "I just want to remind everyone to hug their kids tighter and check on them often. You never know when it’s going to be the last time. And please teach your kids to be kind." Meanwhile, On Wednesday evening, September 7, at a nearby park, Austin's close friends and family released red balloons in his honor. Red was reportedly the 13-year-old's favorite color. According to the boy's aunt Jessica Harris, "This balloon release is definitely to honor his memory and his life, but it's to also to bring awareness: Talk to your kids. Know what's going on, and if your child tells you that someone is mistreating them or bullying them, don't stop. Get to the bottom of it because kids are cruel."
The month of September is dedicated to raising awareness of suicide, and September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that an estimated 703,000 individuals die by suicide each year worldwide, making suicide a public health concern. The WHO also estimates that for every suicide, there are likely 20 other individuals making a suicide attempt. According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide is the second leading cause of death among those aged 25 to 34 and the third highest cause of death among people aged 15 to 24. According to recent data, suicide is the seventh most common cause of death for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years, according to the CDC, which also indicated that nearly one in seven high school students reported seriously considering it in the previous year.