We've lost one local teenager to suicide every month for the last 3 months. All 3 said they just couldn't take the bullying. Jacob Rogers in Ashland City was first. Then in January, Phillip Parker, a student in Gordonsville. Just 2 weeks ago, Miranda Campbell of Hopkinsville. AT FOX17, we view this as a serious issue facing our community. We assembled a diverse panel of teenagers to look for insight and solutions. These students come from all walks of life: gay, straight, black, white, Agnostic, Christian.

Some of these kids ahve been bullied themselves. If kids today could just know that many of America's greats were once bullied too: Tom Cruise for dyslexia among other things; Madonna says she was bullied; so was Chris Rock for his race; Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps for his ears; President Clinton for being "the fat band boy", and the man who changed the world with his innovation, Bill Gates. Thankfully, all o fthese peopel stuck around to see their differences were really gifts. This mostly heterosexual panel is against the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill, which would require educators to only teach heterosexuality in elementary and middle school.

In Part 2 of our SPECIAL REPORT: reaction from adult decision makers to this candid conversation.

We want you to know about a new resource for anyone who's contemplating suicide. "Crisis Chat" allows you to connect with mental health counselors in real time online. It's designed to reach more people because it appeals to those who don't want to pick up the phone. Go to www.crisischat.org, or www.fox17.com and click FOX LINKS.
Deadly Bullying Part 1