Amanda Todd’s Video Caption just over a month before her suicide: I’m struggling to stay in this world, because everything just touches me so deeply. I’m not doing this for attention. I’m doing this to be an inspiration and to show that I can be strong. I did things to myself to make pain go away, because I’d rather hurt myself then someone else. Haters are haters but please don’t hate, although im sure I’ll get them. I hope I can show you guys that everyone has a story, and everyones future will be bright one day, you just gotta pull through. I’m still here aren’t I?
Last September, a girl identifying herself as Amanda Todd, 15, of Maple Ridge, British Columbia posted a video on Youtube called “My story: Struggling, bullying, suicide, self harm.” In the video, Amanda describes with cue cards how she was bullied online and at school and eventually beaten for “hooking up” with another teen that used her while his girlfriend was out of town on vacation. She explains her struggles with drugs and alcohol and harming herself by “cutting.”
Self-harm, including cutting, is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) as a symptom of borderline personality disorder. However patients with other diagnoses may also self-harm, including those with depression, anxiety disorders, substance abuse, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and several personality disorders. Self-harm is also apparent in high-functioning individuals who have no underlying psychiatric or clinical diagnosis.
Self-harm is found in 40–60% of suicides. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between the ages of 10 and 24. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens in the United States.
Amanda attempted suicide at least twice before succeeding. Once she tried to kill herself by drinking bleach. Her ‘haters’ replied online saying maybe she should try another brand of bleach.
Ridge Meadows RCMP confirmed Amana Todd died Wednesday, October 10, 2012 in Coquitlam, a suburban city in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada about 11 miles from Maple Ridge.. Her death is being investigated by Coquitlam RCMP as a “sudden death”, as is typical in cases of suicide, and no details have yet been released.
A Facebook page called “Rest in Peace Amanda Todd” was created Wednesday, and now has dozens of posts offering condolences, while police, medical facilities and school districts are silent — citing privacy issues.
Maple Ridge is a District Municipality in British Columbia, located in the northeastern section of Metro Vancouver. Maple Ridge’s population today is 73,969.
A Facebook page was started in her memory with possible intention to increase the awareness of cyberbullying.
See also …
facebook.com/RIPAmandaTodd (November 27 1996 – October 10th 2012)
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Suicide Statistics
To Amanda’s family, so sorry for your loss, and words will never be enough to express or understand this beautiful girl’s tragic death, however her story has touched the hearts and lives of many, may you rest in peace Amanda.
Ontario, Canada
No haters, no bullies. I will personally take an interest in you if you have a negative thing to say about this child. Kids make mistakes, thats why they are kids. They dont deserve what she got, from a bunch of cowardly, ugly, little b%^ches and Fa$%ots.
Come bully me…..