The shadow pandemic: Teen suicides and depression rates spike, with few resources for help

Teen suicide and depression rates amid the pandemic are as alarming as deaths from Covid-19, but few mental health resources are available to address this shadow pandemic, especially within communities of color. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Asian American children between the ages of 15 and 24. Black children between the ages […]

Family accepts $1 mil. claim against school district after suicide

The family of 12-year-old Ronin Shimizu, who died by suicide Dec. 3, 2014, accepted $1 million to settle their claim against the Folsom Cordova Unified School District “for failing to protect their son … from pervasive bullying which led him to,” a statement said. Ronin was targeted by school bullies with “anti-gay attacks for being […]

Ohio teen’s death raises issue of racial bullying

On Dec. 11, 2014, Emilie Grace Olsen of Hamilton, Ohio took her own life. She left no note, but had messaged friends her final goodbyes earlier by phone. Her father, Marc Olsen, said he had told his 13-year-old daughter’s school about potential bullying she was facing. Emilie, who was adopted from China in 2002, was […]

Celebration of life held for youth who took his life after being bullied

FOLSOM, Calif. — Nearly 600 people gathered in the main auditorium of Lakeside Church in Folsom, Calif. Jan. 10 to attend the celebration of life service for 12-year-old Ronin Shimizu, who took his own life Dec. 3, after years of being bullied. Among those who attended were Ronin’s family and friends, as well as members […]

Bullied 12-year-old Japanese American takes his life

FOLSOM, Calif. — On Dec. 10, about 15 community members and Folsom Middle School parents attended one of three meetings held at the school addressing the death of 12-year-old Ronin Shimizu, who took his own life Dec. 3. According to Folsom Cordova Unified School District Public Information Officer Daniel Thigpen, the meetings served as a […]

A hidden tragedy — mental illness and suicide among Asian Americans

What do Jiwon Lee, Kevin Lee, and Andrew Sun have in common? Sadly, they are three Asian American college students who killed themselves in high profile cases in April at prestigious universities. Kevin Lee, (no relation to Jiwon), a sophomore at Boston University studying biomedical engineering was found dead in his dorm room. Andrew Sun, […]

A psychological lifeline for Asian American teens

On a cold, clear Sunday evening in March, Hung Wei sits in the living room of her home in Cupertino, a prosperous Silicon Valley suburb, surrounded by a dozen high school students. The teens, almost all Asian American, gather around a circular glass coffee table graced with brightly colored figurines. Two girls of Indian descent […]

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