Social workers will return to the North Habersham Middle School campus on Thursday to help grieving students deal with the death of one of their peers.
The Habersham County Coroner’s Office confirms that a 14-year-old male student died Monday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Deputy Coroner Ken Franklin says the boy was found at his home by a family member. He was airlifted to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta where he later died.
Questions and coping
The preliminary finding indicates the boy’s death was suicide, according to Franklin. Authorities won’t have an official cause of death until the State Medical Examiner’s Office releases its autopsy report. Franklin says he’s not sure when that will be. He says there was nothing suspicious about the boy’s death and he’s now looking into “why he would do it”. The Sheriff’s Office is also investigating.
Social media posts suggest the seventh-grader may have been bullied. When asked if bullying played a role, Habersham County Sheriff’s Lt. Matthew Wurtz says, “No.”
“The loss of one of our Bobcats has been devastating.” – NHMS Principal Brent Tuck
It’s been an extremely difficult week for students, staff, and families at North Habersham Middle School as they try to cope with the loss.
The grandmother of one student says her granddaughter heard about the boy’s death Tuesday morning at school. “Students were crying, upset, one of them told her what happened,” she says. “It’s so sad. This young man’s whole life (was) ahead of him.”
“The loss of one of our Bobcats has been devastating,” says Tuck. “We love our students and think of them as family. We at NHMS are keeping the student’s family in all of our thoughts and prayers.”
The school system is providing resources to help.
“We have had a team of counselors and social workers here working with our grieving students for several days and plan to host them again tomorrow,” says principal Brent Tuck. “All of our parents have been informed that these counselors and social workers are available as students and/or parents feel they are needed or as their support is requested.”
Condolences and help
Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper issued this statement Wednesday morning:
“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of one of our students. The team at North Habersham Middle School has demonstrated compassion in responding to this loss and has worked closely with our school system social workers to provide additional counseling services for those students who are grieving. We are continuing to pray for the student’s family and for the North Habersham Middle School community.”
Habersham County Coroner Kasey McEntire echoes that sentiment.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, school administrators and the staff there as they have undoubtedly had to reach out to comfort other students over this tragic loss,” says Habersham County Coroner Kasey McEntire.
To those contemplating suicide, McEntire urges them “to reach out to somebody, talk to somebody.” He says, “There are folks out there who are willing to talk with you and are willing to help.”
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255. There also are youth and family counseling services available in Habersham County.
Foothills Counseling Center is located at Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church at 295 East Green Street, Clarkesville, GA 30523. The phone numbers is (706) 754-5155.
The Christian-based Mustard Seed Counseling Service is located at 992 Cannon Bridge Road, Demorest, GA 30535. The phone number is (706) 894-1371.
Avita Community Health Partners is also located in Demorest at 196 Scoggins Drive, Demorest, GA 30535. The phone number is (706) 894-3700.
Don’t be afraid to talk. Don’t be afraid to tell.
There are many other area counseling services and treatment centers available. Click here to access a comprehensive list provided by Habersham County School System social worker Michelle Blackburn.
Franklin encourages young people to look out for one another.
“When someone is hurting let someone know – a parent, a teacher. Someone needs to get involved when things get so bad that someone wants to take their life,” he says. He adds, “If this turns out to be bullying that needs to be addressed.”
This article has been updated to include comments from NHMS Principal Brent Tuck. It also includes an expanded list of counseling resources in our area. (photo courtesy http://northhabersham.ga.hcm.schoolinsites.com)
