Grief counselors will be back at a Seminole County middle school Friday after one of the school’s students was found dead on campus.

School district officials said the Greenwood Lakes Middle student was found dead Wednesday night from an apparent suicide.

The father of the eighth grader said it’s hard to believe his son is gone.

“He was something special.  He was something any man would be proud of to have as a son," said the father. 

News 13 is not identifying the father, nor the student who committed suicide.

The father told News 13 both of his 14-year-old twins have been bullied at school.

"You know, bullying has to stop," the boy's father said. "It's to the point now in life where children are more interested in seeing a fight rather than coming to the aid of a child. They'd rather pull out a cell phone and put it on social media or Facebook or Instragram or whatever the case is. He was something special. He was something a man would be proud of to have as a son."

The school district and Sheriff's Office have not yet confirmed whether the teen was bullied, or if bullying played a role in the teen's death.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth between 10 and 14 years old, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The American Pyschological Association said there are signs that your child or loved one may be thinking of taking their own life. The signs include:

  • Talking about dying
  • Changes in personality, eating, behavior or sleep patterns
  • Low self-esteem
  • Fear of losing control
  • Expressing there is no hope for the future

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Principal's letter to families

September 11, 2014

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Many of you are aware that Greenwood Lakes has lost one of our students.  The student was found on-campus Wednesday night with the cause of death being an apparent suicide. The GLMS family is deeply saddened and our thoughts and prayers are with the family as they deal with this tremendous personal loss.

Grief Counselors were available on campus, for students and staff, beginning first thing this morning and will be here again tomorrow and will remain for as long as necessary. It is important that we provide support for our students, staff and families in this time of need.

I thank the Greenwood Lakes Family for the many gestures of support.  I have full confidence that the GLMS family will remain strong and will support each other though this time.

I thank you for your continued support and welcome you to contact me with questions and concerns.

Respectfully,
Debra Abbott, Principal