Community has 'a responsibility to step up' and protect bullied children

Rev. Julio Martin says it's a task that no minister should ever have to take on.

"I do not want ever again to preside at a funeral where a 13-year-old was killed by the words of others," Martin told a public meeting in North Sydney last night.

"Words hurt. Words can destroy."

Martin officiated at the funeral of Madison Wilson of Sydney Mines last weekend.

Her parents said she took her own life after she was repeatedly bullied. She is the third middle school student in Cape Breton to commit suicide since November.

About 200 people attended the meeting at the North Sydney Fireman's Club. 

The meeting was organized by grandmother Shaelene Lafosse, who said bullying has reached "crisis" proportions.

She said her 13-year-old granddaughter has been bullied at school for two years.

"We have a responsibility to step up and protect our children," said Lafosse.

'I will do my very best to help you'

Speakers at the meeting said schools must take more action against those responsible for bullying behaviour. Lafosse also urged parents to keep a closer eye on their children and monitor their activity on social media.

"Ask for their passwords," said Lafosse. "You might think it's an invasion of privacy. But if it's going to save your child? I'd rather them be mad at me for a little bit."

An expert in youth mental health told the crowd it's important to make sure the teens who died are not forgotten, "by making our communities better for every single person," said Stan Kutcher, a professor in the psychiatry department at Halifax's Dalhousie University.

He arrived in Cape Breton Monday to investigate what led to the recent suicides, and report back to the provincial government. He challenged those at the meeting to play a part in improving the situation.

"When you leave here tonight, you will go out and say to two other people, 'I am here for you'," Kutcher said to a round of applause.

"I will not blame you, I will not tell you I am not interested, I will do my very best to help you."

'I'm fighting the fight'

Madison Wilson's father, Chris Royal, said he was impressed by what he heard at the public meeting.

"I think it's amazing that the community is getting together. I know it's sad that my daughter, and many other daughters and sons had to go to this extent, but I believe something's going to happen. And I'm fighting the fight with everybody else."

Organizers said they plan further meetings to come up with programs and strategies to help prevent bullying.

If you are in distress or considering suicide, there are places to turn for support. Nova Scotia's Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team can be reached at (902) 429-8167 or Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868. The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention also has information about where to find help.