SUICIDE PREVENTION CENTER INC.: (937) 229-7777

are making many of those calls.

“We’ve had a lot of kids calling in with guilt, saying they wished they had done something,” Marks said. “We tell them, ‘Listen to your friend.’ If a friend makes a threat, never keep it a secret.”

A smart kid

Deputy Chief Michael Brown said officers have spoken with the boy’s family and friends, and questioned other students.

“No one has come forward, other than on Facebook. The rumor mill just grew,” Brown said.

Noland believes the answers may be found in that text message.

“Somebody made him feel so terrible that he must not have felt he could go on,” she said. “I don’t know for sure, but I believe that text message had something to do with it.”

Police confiscated her son’s laptop and his phone, and have yet to comment on the text message.

Brown said Riverside officers conducted an anti-bullying program at the middle school in February, which Paul likely attended. That program is ongoing. This fall, the district also will launch a web-based hot line where students can anonymously report bullying.

‘Bullying is running rampant in the schools’

home. Now, with the use of cellphones and the explosion of Facebook, there is no escape.

“Social media can allow the bullying to follow the child home,” Khavari said. “I think the jury is still out on whether it has led to increased suicides. But when I work with families, I recommend that parents monitor their kids’ social media usage closely, have all the passwords and check it regularly. Getting involved soon if there’s a problem can make a big difference.”

“I think one of the best things parents and schools can do is help kids develop good coping skills and help them learn what support to access,” Marks said.

Three suicides in four years in rural county