Charlie was cyber bullied including physical threats and calls for him to end his life. Landon knew how mad students were about the accusation but didn’t share that with Charlie’s parents. Landon told the accuser’s mother that her son should not cancel Charlie, but no one told Charlie’s parents he was being socially isolated and bullied.
Charlie had numerous absences due to covid, strep and mono culminating in an adult tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy over winter break and a loss of 12 lbs during his two week bed ridden recovery.
Charlie wrote in his school journal about his fear about a threaten school shooting at Landon. No one took notice. No one told his parents.
Charlie’s Sophomore Year Summary - Seven Months in Length.
Charlie was facing mounting pressure over the curriculum topics and assignments missed from his absences. Charlie’s parents begged for his teachers, or the class dean or the resource teacher to please support him but no academic plan or support was ever offered. Charlie was told to advocate for himself.
Charlie supported his best friend during a family member’s suicide. Charlie’s parents asked Landon to join them and talk to Charlie and his friends about the details they had learned. No trauma-informed counseling was provided. Charlie’s parents were told the school had an eye on the boys.
Charlie was accused by a friend of sharing a racist drawing. No adult ever saw a drawing. No image was captured and Charlie was never allowed to even speak to the school about the accusation. Yet Landon spoke openly about the allegation to his classmates and parents and when animus was vividly expressed on campus, took no action. Charlie’s parents never knew of the breach until well after they lost Charlie.
Charlie suffered a concussion in wrestling practice. He experienced light sensitivity, dizziness, and headache for two weeks. Charlie’s parents were never advised to seek medical care and Charlie was told to walk on a treadmill or walk around the neighborhood.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, significant risk factors for suicide include depression, anxiety, exposure to stressful life events, prolonged stress, harassment, bullying, rejection, life transitions and exposure to another person’s suicide. See “Risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs” at https://afsp.org/risk-factors-protective- factors-and-warning-signs/.
Suicide - Know the Risks
On July 24, 2018, the State Board of Education (MD) granted permission to adopt the original regulation, COMAR 13A.07.11 Student Suicide Prevention and Safety Training, which required each Local School System (LSS) to provide annual training to all certificated school staff to:
(1) understand and respond to youth suicide risk; (2) understand and respond to student mental health, student trauma, student safety and other topics related to student social and emotional well-being; and (3) identify professional resources to help students in crisis. The proposed update incorporates the additional requirements of Education Article Section 6-122 regarding behavioral health, trauma and violence out of schools, community schools, and changes in wording under Section 13A.07.11.03(2).