Teen deaths shock families

Michael Powell, left, and Harley Gillespie's parents say the teens seemed 'normal' before they died. Photos / Supplied

The parents of two students from the same school, who took their own lives a week apart, are pleading with teens to talk about their problems.

Michael Powell from Waihi Beach in the Bay of Plenty died on April 19 and Harley Gillespie, from nearby Athenree, on April 26. The 15-year-olds were not close friends, but were both Katikati College students.

Police are investigating whether text or Bebo bullying contributed to the deaths, which have been referred to the coroner.

The boys' parents spoke exclusively to the Herald on Sunday this week to try to prevent similar cases. They said the deaths were out of the blue and had shattered their families.

Heather and David Powell said Michael was an A-grade student, who loved art, drama and music and was not depressed. He had many plans, including buying his first car and travelling.

The weekend he died Michael spent a lot of time with his family.

"We had a lovely weekend," said Heather. "On the Sunday he went to work from 11am until 3pm. He got me to get ingredients for a cheesecake he was making on the Monday.

"Honestly, there was just nothing that we wouldn't think was normal. He came home from work and went down to the beach and had an evening meal with us. Then he sat and watched television. "

David went to bed and left Michael watching a movie with his brother.

"His brother went to bed about midnight and that's the last time anyone saw him."

At some point in the night Michael left his house. His body was found nearby the next morning.

Harley was found dead the following Sunday. His parents Phil and Dianne said Harley also spent time with his family during the day.

"There were no obvious signs for us, he was just being Harley," said Dianne. "I was making tea and watching television and mucking around on Trade Me and Harley kept asking when tea would be ready."

Dianne said Harley was a sensitive boy and usually talked to his parents about his problems but was not depressed.

Although he was bullied at school last year, his parents are adamant that did not contribute to his death.

"Harley told us there was a student bullying him, calling him degrading and racist names," said Dianne.

"I remember saying to him not to take it to heart, that he was a bigger person. I offered to contact the school but he said 'don't worry, Mum'."

Harley later told his parents the bullying had stopped.

They had contacted the school when Harley was bullied on an earlier occasion but were satisfied with how the situation was handled.

"We don't want anyone blaming themselves for this," Dianne said. "We did everything for our son and it still happened. We were, and still are, proud of our son."

"We absolutely know that Michael knew he was loved and cared for and we knew that he loved and cared for others as well," said Heather.

They were not aware of any school, text or internet bullying.

David said teenagers needed to protect their friends and reach out for help if someone was struggling.

"Sometimes kids say things and it's a bit of a cry for attention, but friends need to be aware that it might be the first cry for help."

Dianne and Phil want more help for troubled teens because their own experience had shown warning signs were not always present.

Although organisations such as Lifeline were great, teenagers did not necessarily want to reach out for help.

"We have to take the responsibility off them. We have to ask our kids what they want, what they need. There is no point in us telling them," Dianne said.

"There are ads on television for depression and I think they are brilliant. But nothing for kids. They need someone real to talk to them, someone who has been through this."

Phil said agencies that dealt with troubled teens seemed to get publicity only after a tragedy.

He said the most important message was to encourage teenagers to tell parents if they were concerned about a friend, not to try to deal with the problem alone.

It was also important for parents to reach out to their teens.

"As parents we've got to try to encourage our kids to talk.

"We did that with Harley but obviously there must have been something bothering him that we didn't know about," he said.

Dianne and Phil plan to visit speak to Katikati College students about the impact of Harley's death on their family.

Sergeant Dave Litton said there was no evidence of bullying at school, although Harley had been bullied in the past.

"It's bloody tragic. The boys had a lot going for them. Both deaths were a real shock.," he said.

He said the deaths had raised alarm bells for police, who were on "high alert" for similar incidents.

Support for fellow students

The deaths of Michael Powell and Harley Gillespie have devastated their school and community. Crisis counsellors are in place at Katikati College for the foreseeable future and the region's mayor is vowing to work with community leaders to help youths.

Katikati College principal Peter Leggat said, "This has been a really big shock. It wasn't something that anyone has seen coming."

A trauma plan, including a Ministry of Education crisis team, was put in place immediately. A drop-in room has been set up for grieving students.

"In that room a counsellor is always available for people who need to talk, and they also have each other," Leggat said.

Students who had been identified as being most affected by the deaths were being closely monitored and the school was in contact with their parents.

Leggat said his main focus was getting the school "back to normal".

"I have said to the students that neither boy will be ever be forgotten but they wouldn't want us to stop going forward."

anna.leask@heraldonsunday.co.nz

WHERE TO TURN:

If you are depressed and need to talk to someone:

Lifeline 0800 543 354
Youthline 0800 376 633
Samaritans 0800 726 666

If it is an emergency and you feel like you, or someone you know, is at risk, dial 111 immediately.

Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand has more information about mental health services and contact information for counsellors, doctors and support groups. Visit: www.spinz.org.nz.