A heartbreaking story out of Folsom, California: a 12-year-old boy committed suicide Wednesday night after schoolmates had bullied him for being a cheerleader.
ABC News 10 reports that Ronin Shimizu had been taken out of Folsom Middle School by his parents after intense harassment by other students. Ronin’s friends and family claim the harassment centered around Ronin being a cheerleader (the only boy cheerleader) for the Vista Jr. Eagles squad.
The community learned of the suicide in an email from Folsom Middle School Principal John Bliss to parents:
“Dear Folsom Middle families: I’m writing with a heavy heart today. By now you have heard about the tragic death of one of our former students. Ronin Shimizu briefly attended Folsom Middle last year as a sixth-grader, and this news has deeply saddened many of our students and staff who knew him.
Today we have and will continue to provide counseling and support to students and staff who need assistance dealing with their grief. And while do not know all of the circumstances surrounding Ronin’s passing, we will continue our work to maintain a safe, caring and positive school environment free from bullying and harassment.
I encourage you to talk to you child about how they are processing this news, what feelings they may be experiencing and if they need any help. In the meantime, please keep this student’s family in your thoughts during this difficult time. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you,
Principal John Bliss
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Andrew Mendonsa told ABC News 10 there has been an increase in suicides among young people and offered up his theory as to why.
“Unfortunately, what people don’t realize is that the younger you are, you don’t have a reference point that adults do. ‘Things get better. That’s just a bump in the road. Trust me life will get better.’ We have that as adults. As children, you don’t have that,” said Mendonsa.
Mendonsa went on to state that social media has only made matters worse for the latest generation of young people battling against bullying.
“Once it gets out there, it can be retweeted, or reblogged, or reposted numerous times, and it’s almost exponential that one person because ten, becomes a hundred, becomes a thousand.”
There is help for families who have kids battling bullying. The Palm Springs Unified School District has a website listing numerous resources and materials.
