Parents push back against Greenfield High School after 2 student suicides in 6 weeks

GREENFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The father of a Greenfield High School student who committed suicide is disappointed in the school's response.

There have been two student suicides at the school in the last six weeks.

Greenfield held a community meeting Monday, Nov. 25, to address topics that included grief and suicide warning signs.

Carlos Hernandez's son, Anthony, was a sophomore who killed himself in October.

He says bullying should have been addressed at the meeting, because that is one of the things that led to his son's death.

"I don't even want to imagine what my son was going through to take that decision," Hernandez said.

He says Anthony had been in therapy because of how badly he was being bullied.

"It's a monster," Hernandez said. "It's a bullying they take home 24/7 [because of smartphones]."

Generations Against Bullying is an organization looking to bring these conversations out in the open.

At a roundtable discussion Monday, families who have experienced bullying shared their stories.

Madelynn Jahn, a junior, hasn't gone to school in a week because she says she's too anxious.

Lee Hosea says her seventh grade daughter Leeanna repeatedly gets called names.

"As a parent, I have to speak up," Hosea said. "I have to stand up. I'm upset and I'm frustrated. She comes home plenty of nights crying because they were ugly at school."

The families in attendance want to be ambassadors who teach students, teachers and administrators how to help each other overcome bullying.

Greenfield High School said in a statement:

"We are heartbroken that two students who attended Greenfield High School have died from suicide in the past 6 weeks. Our most heartfelt wishes for courage, support and healing go out to their families and friends during this most difficult time."

"This bullying is going to keep killing our kids," Hernandez said. "How many more have to die?"

There are resources available for people in need, including:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Textline Text the word “Hopeline” to 741741
• Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ crisis line) 1-866-488-7386
• Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division
• Crisis line 1-414-257-7222
• Children’s Mobile Crisis Team 1-414-266-2932