This is the most tragic thing I think I have ever seen. A video of a young girl discussing her life. Discussing how she made mistakes, and was bullied mercilessly.
Amanda Todd. Dead at 15.
And talking about how we failed her, which is now irrefutable, because the other day she finally killed herself, simply unable to take it any more, despite a courageous and public fight to rescue her self esteem and to inspire others to fight depression and suicidal tendencies.
The most tragic thing, because as you will see in this video, this was a bright, wise, kind, gentle person. A creative person, who did a brilliant job of amplifying her need and our responsibility in a manner which I defy you to watch without tears in your eyes.
it is also a timely warning that the Internet is not entirely populated by nice people.
This could be my daughter. Your daughter. Anyone’s daughter.
Rest In Peace, Amanda Todd.
And may none of us rest peacefully until we have eradicated bullying from our childrens’ lives. If ever there was a zero tolerance issue, this is it.
Amanda Todd killed herself one month after she told the world “I have nobody, I need someone”. The outpouring of grief following her death shows that there are indeed tens of thousands of people who would have been that someone, if they had the chance.
How does that message not reach someone like Amanda? How do we let such bright, empathetic young people, so full of potential and promise, slip through the cracks of our world and into oblivion? Everything seems so huge at 15. Everything seems insurmountable.
That’s what grown ups are for. To be there for the kids until a sense of perspective kicks in. To fight back, ruthlessly, inexorably, against the bullies. To tell the distressed and the guilty, “Hey, we all make mistakes, and not just when we’re kids. You’ll get past this. No one with any quality judges you. We don’t judge you. So hang on to life, because you are precious, and we love you.”
We all need to do more. And right now. Go hug your kids for a start.
In Australia, for help with emotional difficulties, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au
For help with depression, contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36 or at www.beyondblue.org.au
The SANE Helpline is 1800 18 SANE (7263) or at www.sane.org
Well, This Is What I Think 
What a tragedy. I found this after watching the vid.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=related&v=pr-Rj59XSlA
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Thank you Mark. And what a brave video from that young lady. It seems like youth suicide is a modern plague. One of the problems, I think, is just the crazy hormonal ups and downs at that age. Another is the loss of connectedness. Another is the immediacy of the tools of suicide in some countries like guns, as in Josh’s case. And yet another is inadequate support services and familial contact.
Thank you for caring, Mark. Spread the word. These kids need adults. Hug tone children.
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So very very sad, the guy should be put in jail, she is a minor, he and the rest of the bullies will have their day of judgement, and when it comes it will be full of fury… May she rest in peace.
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It is terribly sad – the fight back against bullying must be serious and consistent. Total zero tolerance. Bullying is evil.
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its worse when noone belvieves it is happening.
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