WATCH: Teen’s death prompts anti-bullying walk

VERNON – Was it bullying that prompted a 13-year-old north Okanagan boy to take his own life last month?  We may never know for certain.

What we do know is that a family friend is organizing an anti-bullying walk in Vernon this Saturday.

“He was a joker. He’d always make me smile,” says Melissa Jones remembering her son Cross.

“He was being bullied and I guess he decided that he didn’t have any way out, couldn’t ask for help, and took his own life at my house on October 17 while I was at work,” says Jones.

Family friend, April Conlin, has now organized an anti-bullying walk for Cross this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Vernon’s Polson Park.

Betty Bates with the Vernon and District Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association says changing behavior, depression, sleep issues, anxiety and feeling hopeless can all be signs that someone is considering ending their life. Bates says if you suspect a young person is considering taking their life don’t be afraid to ask the question: are you having thoughts of suicide?

“Don’t be scared by that because that opens the door and quite often we’ll see the person that you are speaking to there is a relief in being able to actually talk about it,” Bates says adding the next step is to point them to resources.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or you are concerned about someone else who may be at risk, you can call  the Crisis Line & Referral Service at 1-888-353-2273 to be connected with local mental health resources or you can call a special toll free number,  1-800-Suicide.