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I am not sure how to write this post. I don't really know what is appropriate or not. So please forgive any vagueness, lack of cohesion or the content itself if you find it inappropriate. Whatever the case may be. I am not even sure if this is the right forum to write about the news I received today.
Put simply, one of my students chose to take his life yesterday.
Today was the first day back to school for the year and this chilling news came as a shock both to me and other staff. I was told that the news spread quickly via Facebook so hopefully his friends and class mates will have had at least some time to process the news with their families.
I only taught the student a couple of days each week in an elective subject but in that short time he showed himself to be engaging, talented in the subject, and from what I perceived, a happy student. It is obvious now that this final impression was not the case.
I didn't really know how to take the news when I heard it - I was in the staffroom before school. There was silence followed by expressions of disbelief from several teachers, including myself. We talked about the incident off and on throughout the day. There is of course some guilt. You know, were there any signs? Should we have known him better? And so on. Regardless, I think the talking helped. If I had needed to teach a full normal day I am not sure how I would have coped especially concerning reactions among his peers.
Tomorrow will be hard too especially at the year level assembly, if we have one. His peers will begin their school year tomorrow (staggered start) and will no doubt be greeted by an army of counselors when they arrive. I am not looking forward to it.
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- so SO sorry to hear this... I work with younger kids so this hasn't been an issue for me, I've had kids SAY suicidal things, but that's the extent. A BIG hug is coming your way.
