Local family morns suicide death of young nephew

A Thermopolis family is in mourning after the suicide death of their young nephew in Denver, Colo., a story that has been all over the National news.

Christine and Jeff Miller are the aunt and uncle of Jamel Myles, the nine-year old who committed suicide just four days into his fourth grade year because of bullying. Their children will forever miss Christmas’ and family get togethers with Jamel.

Jamel had told his mother over the summer that he was gay.

He was excited to be able to ‘come out’ to his friends once school started.

In the first four days of school the young man was bullied to such an extent, even being told to kill himself, that it was unbearable, taking his own life.

Suicide is the number two cause of death for children between the ages of 10-14.

Between 1999 and 2015, 1,309 children between the ages of five and 12 took their own lives. That is one child every five days.

Unfortunately, it can be more than one event in a youngster’s life that brings them to the point of despair, more than one thing that triggers their decision to commit suicide.

According to the June issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, “Those under 13-years old are more impulsive; don’t think things through. Impulse can escalate a situation really quickly.”

The percentage of children and young teens hospitalized for a suicide attempt nearly doubled between 2008 and 2015. They notice seasonal changes as well, with more attempts in the spring and fall whereas rates lower in the summer.

Bullying is one of the main reasons children are taking their lives, however stealing, threats, fights, drugs or alcohol, sexual misconduct, dating violence and any other dangerous or violent situations may be a trigger for action.

Parents and other adults are urged to look for signs that something may be brewing, such as discussing a desire to die, feeling helpless or like a burden, withdrawing from others, mood swings, andger and restlessness or even sleeping too much or too little.

There are resources available to both adults and children such as the National Suicide Prevention hotline (800-273-TALK) or the Crisis Text Line (741741).

Wyoming has a specific program known as Safe2Tell which allows friends, relatives or others to contact someone completely anonymously if they are in crisis or know someone who may be contemplating suicide.

Their website can be found at safe2tellwy.org and you may text or call 844-996-7233 for immediate help.