DENVER – “What hurts the most about losing my son, is knowing other kids feel the same way he did,” a Denver mother wrote in a public Facebook post about the death of her 9-year-old son.
Jamel Myles, a fourth-grade student, was transported to a Denver area hospital last Thursday night. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to reporting partner 9News Denver.
Myles’ mother, Leia, wrote on Facebook that her son’s death was due to bullying and that she didn’t know until it was too late. She wrote, “no child and I mean no child should be bullied by anyone.”
Myles reportedly took his own life days after telling his classmates he was gay.
According to reports obtained by 9News Denver, Myles’ manner of death was classified as a suicide. The 9-year-old was a fourth-grade student at Joe Shoemaker School in Denver.
The school sent a letter to parents Friday, Aug. 24, expressing extreme sadness in the students’ passing. According to 9News Denver, the letter said “this was an unexpected loss for our school community.”
“I want you to speak on treating each other with kindness and compassion, I want justice for my son and the only way to get that is to touch people’s hearts and tell them if we love more it will be harder to hate,” Myles’ mother wrote in her most recent Facebook post.
The grieving mother shared a number of posts pleading with people to help stop bullying.
There are many suicide prevention resources available for those in need.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental, substance use or emotional help, Colorado Crisis Services offers a toll-free number for anyone to call to speak with a trained professional. The number is 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to speak to a professional. Click here for more information.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline helps provide 24/7 confidential support to people in distress. Prevention and crisis resources are available to all, just call 1-800-273-8255. Click here for more information.
For more resources on suicide prevention, click here.
