Teen's heartbreaking note emerges after tragic death during Covid pandemic
A 16-year-old teen left a tragic note to his family after taking his own life as he struggled to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
Spencer Smith died in the US state of Maine on Friday (local time) with his father revealing he was oblivious to how badly his son was struggling with his mental health.
Mr Smith described his son as “fun-loving” but he said that changed when restrictions began.
"We knew he was upset because he was no longer able to participate in his school activities, football. We never guessed it was this bad,” Jay Smith told NBC News.
Mr Smith said in hindsight there were signs he wasn’t coping. Restrictions placed on school sport meant Spencer “gave up” after working out over the summer to make the school American football team.
He said his son was struggling to cope with the isolation from his school friends and had left a note saying he felt like he was “locked in this house”.
His grades began to fall and he eventually refused to go into school one day a week as he couldn’t bare not being able to interact with his peers.
Father pleads for parents to talk to their children
Mr Smith said he wanted to use his son’s death as a reminder to other parents and warned them to get their children help before it’s too late.
“There’s help out there... I ask parents to talk to their children,” he said.
Brunswick schools superintendent Phillip Potenziano said in a statement suicide “should not be an option”.
"It’s really important if you or your child is not feeling well in any way to reach out for help.”
A GoFundMe page has since been set up to help fund Spencer’s funeral.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the pandemic has contributed to a surge in suicides, overdoses and violence.
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The state of Maine has so far managed to avoid the widespread infection seen in some of the US’s worst hit states however it has experienced a spike in COVID-19 cases in December.
It has so far had 14,454 cases and 246 deaths.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.
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