A 9 year-old boy has died by suicide in Denver Colorado.

During the summer Jamel Myles announced to his mother, Leia Pierce, that he was gay. Leia said he was terrified but that she reassured her son that she still loved him. Myles was also interested in wearing more feminine clothes and accessories to school.

Pierce told a TV station that Jamel confided in his sister that he was being bullied in school and that he was thinking of taking his own life.

Four days after the beginning of the school term, Janel died by suicide leaving his family devastated. His mother told reporters, “I’m just sad he didn’t come to me… I’m so upset that he thought that was his option.”

Leia has started a campaign asking that more action is taken against bullying, she believes parents should be held responsible if their child is bullying other students.

Denver Public Schools id providing social workers and a “crisis team” to aid students affected by Myles’ death. Denver Police Department is also investigating the case.

Looking After Your Mental Health

Everyone goes through hard times growing up, and when you are a grown up! When you are LGBTI+, sometimes there can be extra challenges that you may face such as coming out or accepting your identity.

It’s normal to feel anxious, stressed, or worried because of this. It can be hard to focus when studying or working, and you may feel alone or isolated. If any of these feelings sound familiar to you, it is important that you do something about it.

If you, or someone you know, is at risk of suicide, you should act immediately and get help. With support, you can start to feel hopeful and more positive about the future.

If you don’t think you can keep yourself safe, go to A&E, call 999 or 112 and ask to speak to the ambulance service.

Talk to your GP. They can offer you advice on accessing the best support services for you.

Call a helpline like the Samaritans who offer a safe place to talk 24 hours a day. You can reach them on their Freephone number 116 123. Here is a list of places where you can find free, confidential support.

BeLonG To

BeLonG To provide support and information for LGBTI+ young people through a number of support services:

Visit Monday Chats: Are you LGBTI+ and have questions, worries, or just need to have a chat in a safe space? Come along to BeLonG To for Monday Chats between 3-7pm and we will provide you with information, support, and a listening ear. This service is for 14-23 year-olds and is free of charge. To book an appointment email: [email protected] or call: 01 670 6223.

Visit a Youth Group: We support youth groups around the country where you can be yourself, meet new people and seek help.

Give us a Call: 01 670 6223 (we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

Send us an Email: [email protected]

BeLonG To/Pieta House Counselling Service:  This is free support for LGBTI+ young people in the Dublin area who are self-harming or thinking of suicide. Call 01 623 5606 or email [email protected] to book an appointment today.

If you need urgent support, you can contact any one of the support services below. Many of them are open 24 hours a day. You are not alone.

The National LGBT Helpline provides a confidential, listening, support and information service to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. The service is also used by people who are questioning if they might be LGBT, as well as the family and friends of LGBT people and professionals looking for information. The service is volunteer-run and operates Monday through Friday from 7 to 9 pm. Visit Website: www.lgbt.ie  Call: 1890 929 539

Pieta House offers free specialised treatment to clients who self-harm, suffer from suicidal ideation or have made multiple suicide attempts. Clients receive an intensive programme of one-to-one counselling lasting about four to six weeks. They have branches across Ireland in Ballyfermot, Finglas, Lucan, Limerick, Tallaght, Kerry, Tipperary and Galway. Visit Website: www.pieta.ie  Call: 1800 247 247

Samaritans provide confidential non-judgmental support, 24 hours a day for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Visit Website: www.samaritans.org   Call: 116 123

Your Mental Health is a place to learn about mental health and how to support yourself and others. Find resources and support services near you. Visit Website: www.yourmentalhealth.ie

Jigsaw offers a free service providing support and advice to young people (aged 12-25) experiencing mental health difficulties. Visit Website: www.jigsaw.ie/help

Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) seeks to improve conditions and advance the rights and equality of trans people and their families. Their vision is an Ireland where trans people are understood, accepted and respected, and can participate fully in all aspects of Irish society. Visit Website: www.teni.ie   Call: 01 873 35 75

Gay Switchboard Ireland provides a confidential telephone support service. Listening, support and information are provided to all callers in a non- directive or judgmental way. The service is available to the LGBT community, their parents, families and friends, and to anyone who has concerns relating to sexuality, including HIV/AIDS-related enquiries.

Visit Website: www.gayswitchboard.ie  Call: 01 872 1055

Outhouse is a community and resource centre for LGBT people, their families and friends. It is based in central Dublin. Its primary goal is to offer a safe space for people to inform, meet, organise and make things happen. Visit Website: http://outhouse.ie Call: 01 873 4999

Lesbian Line is a listening service run by lesbian and bisexual women. The volunteers are not qualified counsellors but can listen and can give you the information you might need on the many support services available. Visit Website: www.dublinlesbianline.ie  Call: 01 8729911

Gender Identity Family Support Line is a volunteer-led listening and support service for families of trans and gender non-conforming people in Ireland. The Gender Identity Family Support Line is an initiative of Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) and LGBT Ireland. The line is open from 6-9pm on the second and fourth Sunday of the month. Call: 01 907 3707

Gay Health Network publishes and distributes HIV and safer sex information for men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as conducting and publishing research. Visit Website: http://gayhealthnetwork.ie

Man2Man is a comprehensive sexual health information website for men who have sex with men. Visit Website: http://man2man.ie