Last week I got a horrific phone call informing me my 7th grader's friend died from a self-inflicted gunshot to his head. At first,it was said to be an accident ,but we soon knew that he had intentionally done this.The family had guns, as hunters & they were always locked up in separate places from the ammo. It turns out the last time they were at the practice range, he snuck bullets from there into his pocket..There were really no warning signs that might sound an "alarm"-he was an always happy,joking kind of boy-obviously that demeanor hid alot of pain/emotion. His family was about to move to another state far away & had finally sold their home after over a year on the market,making the move possible. I can't help but feel he probably did it because he didn't want to move or perhaps feared starting over in a new community. He had sooo many friends here & was well like by all the girls. My son is so devastated & sad, but my surprise is my reaction-I think I'm more devastated & depressed. I can't get him out of my mind,or what his parents are going through. He was only over a few times & I didn't know him well, but I knew his dad from a committee we were on together.
I can't believe someone so young committed suicide-but I've read the incidence is 60% higher in homes where there are firearms-probably because when the child/teen gets an impulse/feels desperate,there is something immediately deadly available that they can use.
I lost my brother 10 months ago after a 3 1/2 year battle with leukemia & while I know that this has opened the "grief wound" for me, I don't think my feelings have too much to do with my brother per say-the situation is totally different. My husband thinks I need help/counseling,but I come from a counseling type background & know what one would say to me-it annoys me to think of going to one-I'd be preempting whatever they'd say. I'm trying so hard to deal with this, it hurts so bad to know a young boy is gone and his family is forever scarred.

It is horrible that this has happened. I am sure that you are going through this because you have a son that same age and can empathize with the parents. You probably feel your own child's grief as well.
I'm sure if this young man was planning to commit suicide though, if he didn't use a gun, he could have used a number of other things, including medicines right in the home too.
I hope that you can cope well with this. I know what you mean about counseling though, but you may end up wanting to take that road.
I pray for peace for you, your son and the boy's family.

I am so sorry; can't even imagine the horror of such an experience. Such a tragedy that this young boy felt so isolated and unhappy that he resorted to ending his life. He must of really felt trapped (in his own mind) and couldn't even talk to his parents or an adult that he trusted. I would also feel sick with grief not only for the boy, but for my son who has to go through such a horrible tragedy. Keep a very open communication line in talking about this with your son, which you probably are already doing.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

Oh my gosh how horrible - and I know it really hurts hitting so close to home. You're putting yourself in the Mom's place and feeling all the grief too. The only thing I can offer is to just grieve and be there for your son and his friend's family.

Prayers going to y'all.

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Mary

I can understand this. Our wounds are deep . A lot of things make me start grieving for our son who died 6 months ago. I don't know how long this lasts.
It has been the hardest thing I have ever gone thru. I added and then deleted a post on that hardest decision we ever had to make. I deleted it because I was so upset.


I am so sorry for the boys family and for your son and you. It is so sad to hear.
Hugs and Prayers, Shirley

I'm so sorry to hear about this. So tragic and so young. Give yourself a little more time and if you find yourself continuing to be pre-occupied then seek some help. I know for about 4 days I couldn't stop thinking about that poor model that got her hands and feet amputated and then died.Considering the circumstances I can understand why you can't get this off your mind.

If the boy sneaked bullets into his pocket the last time they were at the practice range, it's not a question of him having an "immediately deadly" weapon available that he could use to kill himself. His was clearly a premeditated suicide and he would simply have chosen another method if a gun wasn't available.

I'm sorry you're having difficulty accepting his death. Suicide leaves a lot of pain and feelings of guilt for those left behind. His family will suffer terribly and perhaps it will help ease your pain if you reach out to them in their time of need.