Students Hold Vigil for Sylvan Hills Student
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: December 3, 2012
Teen suicides were in the spotlight Monday night as students mourned the death of a Sylvan Hills student. Families in Sherwood held a vigil at the Sherwood Soccer Club, where they were working to send a message to get kids to open up before it's too late.
The vigil started with a moment of quiet reflection, and was followed by a call to action.
"Parents they have to know they can come to you," says M elyssa Cooper, organizer.
Cooper organized the vigil to help students who are grieving over the sudden death of their friend, a popular athlete they described as bubbly and outgoing.
"I thought it was a nightmare I would never wake up from," said student Tim Lucas.
"She always made me smile and laugh, and she was always there for me," recalled A isha Macon.
"I have buried a child in my family, very similar. It's a hurting thing," a parent told the crowd.
Cooper wants to make sure none of them have to go through this again.
"No child should have to suffer in silence," she says.
Since she started a Facebook page as a tribute, she says teenagers from all over have started unloading their burdens in her inbox.
"They're concerned about boys, they're concerned about their weight, 'am I going to get laughed at today, am I keeping up with the latest dress,'" Cooper says.
Now that she sees how many young people need a safe space to speak out, she's pushing kids and their families to open up and share what's inside before it's too late.
"Despite what you see on the outside, you can't tell how someone feels," a student shared with others over the loud speaker.
"Talk to somebody call them, call somebody, talk to somebody," another student encouraged her friends .
Cooper is starting a group for teenagers called STAG, or Standing Together to Achieve Greatness, in hopes that it will give students a chance to share whatever may be bothering them without feeling judged.
In Arkansas, suicide is the third leading cause of death for people 15-24 according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
Experts say parents should check for changes in weight and behavior in their kids . Click here for more information and warning signs.
Anyone contemplating suicide can call the state crisis hotline, at 888-274-7472.
The vigil started with a moment of quiet reflection, and was followed by a call to action.
"Parents they have to know they can come to you," says M elyssa Cooper, organizer.
Cooper organized the vigil to help students who are grieving over the sudden death of their friend, a popular athlete they described as bubbly and outgoing.
"I thought it was a nightmare I would never wake up from," said student Tim Lucas.
"She always made me smile and laugh, and she was always there for me," recalled A isha Macon.
"I have buried a child in my family, very similar. It's a hurting thing," a parent told the crowd.
Cooper wants to make sure none of them have to go through this again.
"No child should have to suffer in silence," she says.
Since she started a Facebook page as a tribute, she says teenagers from all over have started unloading their burdens in her inbox.
"They're concerned about boys, they're concerned about their weight, 'am I going to get laughed at today, am I keeping up with the latest dress,'" Cooper says.
Now that she sees how many young people need a safe space to speak out, she's pushing kids and their families to open up and share what's inside before it's too late.
"Despite what you see on the outside, you can't tell how someone feels," a student shared with others over the loud speaker.
"Talk to somebody call them, call somebody, talk to somebody," another student encouraged her friends .
Cooper is starting a group for teenagers called STAG, or Standing Together to Achieve Greatness, in hopes that it will give students a chance to share whatever may be bothering them without feeling judged.
In Arkansas, suicide is the third leading cause of death for people 15-24 according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
Experts say parents should check for changes in weight and behavior in their kids . Click here for more information and warning signs.
Anyone contemplating suicide can call the state crisis hotline, at 888-274-7472.
