A Flagler County mother has partnered with school officials to discuss teen suicide.
In 2013, Barbara Coxwell’s son 15-year-old Dalton took his life just before Christmas. Just last week the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said a recent high school graduate took her life and last month an 18-year-old also committed suicide.
Now Coxwell and school board chairwoman Colleen Conklin are working to get mental health help into the classroom. They are also working with the county to looking into its mental health infrastructure.
“It’s so sad to think that students choose this option instead of knowing they’ve got this great big life in front of them,” said Conklin.
Officials say recent suicide cases have really struck the entire community. The school district said grief counselors have been made available to students who need to talk.
While Coxwell said it was too late for her son, she hopes to save the lives of other teens.
A Virtual Town Hall meeting on suicide awareness and prevention will be held Sunday starting at 6 p.m. Parents and students can login and ask questions. Information about available resources will be shared for those who may be struggling with depression.
To join in the meeting, visit joinme.com/Flagleryouthsuicide from your computer. If using a phone or tablet, you can join using the join.me app and enter the meeting code: Flageryouthsuicide.