17 Year Old Kills Self: Vigil Held In Town [Dark Red]
Summary:
Paragraphs eight and nine read: "Despite visits with doctors and anti-depressants, the Clarks feel their son fell through cracks in the system.:
"We became aware that Jerry had a problem in October and it went south quickly," Jerry Clark Sr. said of his son. "We promised him, ‘Please hold on Jerry, we'll do what we can to try to help you, don't do anything rash.'"
VOORHEESVILLE, N.Y. -- The sudden death of a high school student from Voorheesville is having a ripple effect on the community.
Tonight his parents told a gathering of friends they want something positive to come from their tragedy.
Jerry Clark, 17, took his own life late last month.
Normally News10 does not cover suicides, but Clark's parents asked that we help get their story out to prevent other families from suffering such a loss.
Friends remember Jerry Clark as a kind soul, popular with his peers at school.
More than 100 people turned out at a vigil in Jim Nichols Memorial Park to share their favorite memories of Clark.
His mother tells me his depression took a turn for the worse when she says a school suspension cost him his spot on the wrestling team.
Despite visits with doctors and anti-depressants, the Clarks feel their son fell through cracks in the system.
"We became aware that Jerry had a problem in October and it went south quickly," Jerry Clark Sr. said of his son. "We promised him, ‘Please hold on Jerry, we'll do what we can to try to help you, don't do anything rash.'"
"I want people to know that this shouldn't happen to any family and to be aware of what their kids are doing, to be more involved in their lives, to ask them questions," said Wendy Clark, Jerry Clark's mother.
News10 will be taking a closer look at the alarming number of suicides recently in a special report that will air Thursday, May 13.