Oklahoma town grieves after series of suicides
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Four people have committed suicide in the small Oklahoma town of Anadarko in a small space of time.
"I knew every single one of them," Anadarko High School principal Lynn Bellamy told KFOR. "I taught every single one of them or I was their principal, and all of them are loved, and they didn't have to choose the course."
The students who committed suicide ranged in age from 22 ro 11.
“(It) just seems to be like it's spreading and kids are feeling like this is a way to make it better,” Bellamy said. “You have young people who are hurt and they feel hopeless, helpless, but there are people who love them -- families, this community loves them.”
“The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health is going to offer training (for teachers, students and parents) in the public school," City Manager Kenneth Corn said. "They have material that talks about how we deal with this.”
The department is also setting up “care stations” at an area hospital with no appointment necessary.
"I just really want us to get the word out to the community that that is not a solution. It is a permanent fix to a temporary problem," Police Chief Jason Smith said.
"It has brought us to our knees. We are looking at all possible causes, but it's not so easy to put a finger on it and say, 'This person was bullied.' It's just not that easy."
“They see it as an option, and it's not an option. It's the end. It's final," Bellamy said. "All that's left is the hurt and suffering of the family and friends."
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