Pittston Area High School holds meeting to confront recent teen suicides

Yatesville--Hundreds of people gathered in the Pittston Area High School auditorium on Wednesday night for a special meeting on sucide prevention.

Joshua Santos - Nanticoke

Matt Montagna - Pittston

Jamie Baker - Pittston

The meeting followed after the tragic suicides of four students, one being from the Greater Nanticoke Area School District, another from the Hazleton Area School District, and two being from Pittson Area.

The meeting was presided over by a panel of experts which included Pittston Area Superintendent Mike Garzella,  Carmen Ambrosino head of the Luzerne County drug and Alcohol Service Center, and others from social Services and the Department on Mental Health. The meeting also allowed parents and community members to speak out and address their concerns.

Hundreds of people turned out to express their views at the suicide prevention meeting on Wednesday.

Pittston Area Senior Mary Yozwiak spoke out to the crowd about her struggles with bullying which started in kindergarten and led to her battle with Anorexia.

"When people would call me fat and ugly I would often think I was worthless and have thoughts of suicide," said Yozwak. "However, I realized by clinging to those I love and keeping a level head, the bullies made me stronger."



Samantha Neman lost her son Kyle at the age of 13-years-old to suicide. Neman said Kyle was a kid who loved life and planned on being a doctor who cured cancer once he was older. Neman believes bullying is only one aspect to suicide and their are many others that need to be looked at. Holding up Kyle's picture, Neman said Kyle was a straight A student, was well liked, and doesn't believe bullying was the reason for her son's decision.

Samantha Neman holds a picture of her son Kyle who committed suicide five years ago. 

"Parents need to engage in their kids lives and listen to what they have to say," said Neman. "Bullying is a quick rush to judgement when we all know other factors can be a role in these tragic decisions ."

Members of the suicide prevention panel also took questions and offered their advice on the issue. Superintendent Mike Garzella said "Pittston Area High School has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to bullying and the deaths of these teens are currently under investigation."

Superintendent Mike Garzella addresses the crowd at Wednesday's suicide prevention meeting.

Some parents also issued concerns that the staff at Pittston Area also needs to be trained while dealing with the students and that some members can be bullies themselves. When asked if the staff at Pittston Area is under investigation Garzella would not comment on any particulars of the investigation.

Wilkes-Baree teacher Jamie Andrews addresses the panel  on what things teachers could do to help their students.

"Let me just say I think we have an excellent staff at Pittston Area and I'm taking accusations of our staff being bullies with a grain of salt," said Garzella.

Experts also advised parents to talk to their kids and urged student to talk with someone they know they can trust. Carmen Ambrosino offered the idea of creating a suicide prevention task force.

"This is a community effort and let me assure all of you that this is not the last time this panel is going to meet," said Ambrosino.

Resources were provided by the panel if a parent has any suspicion of their child committing suicide.

1-800-273-TALK
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.afsp.org/