Mother of bullied 13-year-old speaks out about mental health awareness after her death - Danbury News Times
A New Hampshire mother is spreading the word about mental illness after her daughter died of suicide.
Marcia Barbosa is talking with families after the death of her 13-year-old daughter, Natalie, last month.
>> Need help? Call 800-273-8255 or visit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
"She suffered from some mental illness, depression, anxiety, and she had some learning disabilities, too," Barbosa said.
She said Natalie was also bullied at school.
"Sometimes, kids don't even notice what they are doing, but they are being mean, you know?" she said.
Barbosa said she and her daughter, Sadie, were aware of Natalie's struggles, but they never thought she would take her own life. They have now made it their mission to talk about mental illness.
"That's what Natalie wants," Barbosa said. "She wants us to get together and spread awareness and take care of these kids, because they deserve better."
Barbosa joined a large group of parents Tuesday night in Exeter to talk about the issue. She met former New Hampshire Chief Justice John Broderick at the event.
"She is a courageous woman," Broderick said. "She wants to talk about mental illness. She wants people to know the signs. She wants people to be educated. I applaud her, in all of her pain, to do that. I think it's remarkable."
Broderick has dealt with mental illness within his own family.
"Because I grew up in a world where no one talked about it, I didn't do anything about it, but for the last 31 months, I'm trying to make up for the time I didn't spend on it," he said.
He now speaks to students about what mental illness is and what can be done about it.
"It's not hopeless, by the way," Broderick said. "There is a lot of treatment and a lot of success, and I didn't know that for years. We need to do a better job. We don't want to lose children. We don't want to lose anyone, but particularly children. It's beyond sad."
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or get help online at the organization's website.
http://bit.ly/2szzGBE
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