Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
PEABODY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The City of Peabody has made an effort to improve access to mental health resources, five months after an eighth-grade student from Higgins Middle School took their own life after being bullied.
The city has launched a website called Peabody PROMISE, with the goal of preventing suicide, reducing stigma, and empowering the community.
“It’s very hard when they’re growing up that young. Even older people, they feel like they can’t speak with anyone. They think it’s their own problem. They need to talk it out with someone,” said Peabody resident and healthcare worker Pamela.
Peabody PROMISE acronym stands for Preventing Suicide, Reducing Stigma, Offering Support, Making Meaningful Change, Investing In Mental Health, Standing Against Bullying and Empowering The Community.
“We wanted people to finally find justice for him, and we wanted the story to come to light and finally help him out,” fellow classmate and now 9th grader Jaden said.
Jaden is happy that a resource and support website has been launched, but wishes the resource was available sooner.
“It definitely could have helped for sure. It could of prevented this, 100%,” Jaden said.
Website resources include links to the suicide prevention hotline and bully prevention forms. You can visit the site by clicking HERE.