McKenna Brown: Couple launch McKenna Way to help others as daughter, 16, dies by suicide
PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA: A couple from Central Florida are speaking up on the growing mental health crisis among young people after their daughter, 16-year-old McKenna Brown, died by suicide on August 7. The teenager was just days away from starting her senior year at high school at East Lake High in Tarpon Springs.
Brown was also a star hockey player and athlete. She aimed to play women's hockey at the University of South Florida. According to FOX 13, McKenna's father Hunter revealed that the teen had been going through a difficult time. "She made a couple mistakes. It led to some physical, sexual, emotional abuse. She was blackmailed. She was bullied. She was betrayed by her best friend," he said. All this certainly took a toll on her mental health before she decided to take her own life.
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Brown's parents said that the teen was the source of all their joy. Besides the game, she was cyberbullied and had gone through abusive, vicious friendships that ate away at her. Still, she found her purpose through the game she loved. Her mother, Cheryl, described how she felt, saying, "It's been total hell, and I know she's all around us still, but she's not here physically and that hurts."
Taking to Facebook, Cheryl also shared a video of a young McKenna, mentioning that she is now "singing in heaven."
Though the family is devastated by the loss, they are speaking up about the mental health crisis, especially among those who are suicidal, and they arer trying to spread awareness. In addition, they are also holding accountable all those involved in the events that drove their daughter to kill herself - from other children to their parents.
"If you're aware of something that's going on in your kid's life that's affecting another kid, you got to say something," Cheryl emphasized. "You can't just not say something. That's not OK and that could've prevented this." Hunter seconded this view, adding that having compassion is the way to go. "When you see somebody who is being ostracized or alone or just needs a little hug, pick-me-up, you know, reach out to them," he said.
Describing the "McKenna way", Cheryl stressed on the importance of being there for each other, simply "throw your arm around them" because "that's what [McKenna] did. And that is the McKenna way."
According to her obituary posted by East Lake High School, McKenna is survived by her parents, her older brother MacCallum, sister McKinley, and other close relatives. The obituary also asks well-wishers to consider making a donation in McKenna's name to either the BU CTE Brain Bank or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. McKenna's death is being investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
