TRIGGER WARNING: This post contains information about suicide, which may be triggering to some.
A California community is mourning the loss of a teen girl believed to have died by suicide. The 14-year-old, whose name has not been released, was found hanging on the second floor of Lindhurst High School in the small town of Olivehurst. Police say she ran away from home just hours before.
The Yuba County Sheriff's Department posted a news release on Facebook detailing the emotional discovery. The department received a call from a home in Olivehurst, reporting a missing juvenile. Multiple deputies began a search of the area that ended just before 7 a.m., when a call came from the high school about the heartbreaking find.
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Sheriff's deputies quickly established the identity of the student.
When deputies arrived at the school, they identified the hanged student as the reported runaway earlier in the day.
"I know I can speak for our entire department when I say we are incredibly heartbroken from this tragedy," Sheriff Wendell Anderson said, according to the New York Post. "This will undoubtedly impact our community and I urge anyone suffering with suicidal thoughts to seek help immediately."
According to the Post, Anderson said he believes some students saw the girl's body and authorities are actively trying to track those students down to get statements.
The school district has released a statement regarding the tremendous loss.
The Marysville Joint Unified School District shared the statement in a Facebook post:
"Today our community experienced the heartbreaking loss of one of our Lindhurst High School students. As we continue to grapple with the immense loss of this young student, we ask for respect for the family and extend our deepest condolences to the student's family, friends and loved ones, as well as to the neighboring communities of Johnson Park and Yuba Gardens."
On Friday, district officials pledged to have mental health resources available to students and their families at the high school Thursday and Friday. In addition, classes were canceled until Monday.
Fal Asrani, superintendent of MJUSD, and Francisco Reveles, superintendent of Yuba County Office of Education, spoke to 93Q Q-munity radio about the importance of mental health among youth.
Social media has been inundated with posts about the tragic death of such a young girl.
In addition to the sheriff's office and school district posts, concerned residents and parents posted emotional pleas to the community.
"My heart breaks for the family, the students, the staff and the whole Lindhurst High School community. Hug your kids and let them know that
it's okay to not be okay but there's always someone to talk to," one post reads.
"It's so sad on what happened at Lindhurst high school this morning. Prayers to the family and friends. My deepest condolences," another person wrote. "All I wanna do is hold my children. This is for anyone I know. If yall Contemplating suicide please reach out to your loved ones. Seek some help. May this young lady Rest In Peace."
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Lindhurst was the site of a shooting in the 1990s.
The suicide at Lindhurst comes just days after a mass shooting left six dead at The Covenant School in Nashville, but its own past is just as troubling.
On May 1, 1992, 20-year-old Erin Houston, a former student, entered the school, killing a teacher and three students and wounding 10 others. Houston held dozens hostage during an eight-hour siege before turning himself over to police. He is on California's death row.
Parents need to talk to their children about suicide.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reported that between 1975 and 2015, 100,000 teens 15 to 19 years old died by suicide in 40 years, according to the most recent data.
The foundation suggests that parents be role models for their mental health and ensure they prioritize themselves.
"If your child sees you approaching your own challenges and learning for your own mistakes in an open way, they will understand that it's okay to struggle and to learn from mistakes. They may develop flexibility and compassion for their own missteps — possibly even empathy for others, seeing how you navigate challenging times," the organization states on its website. "They will also understand that life is messy and challenging for everyone at different times."
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
