Lewis Cass, community struggle after student suicide, ask 'how' to save student lives
Feb. 9—The pain of the last few weeks was etched on some of the Lewis Cass school board members' faces.
Lewis Cass lost another student to suicide on Jan. 22, the second student who had taken their life during the 2023-23 school year.
Along with the school board, many community members joined together to ask why and how.
Why did this happen? How do we stop it from happening again?
Dalton Eades was just 14 years old. Previously, Gavin Griffin took his own life on August. 28.
Parker Abbot was also just a 14-year-old Lewis Cass student when he completed suicide on July 13, 2022.
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, the high school held an assembly to honor Dalton and teach students about the warning signs of suicidal behavior.
Lewis Cass school board president Rick Lee, his eyes red, read a statement from Dalton's father, Tom Eades, unsure if he would be able to complete the reading.
"Dalton was my son's brother-in-law," Lee said. "I was very close to him. He's probably been in my house 100 times over the past year. In fact, he helped me on Saturday, before that tragic thing happened. He was a kid I was very close to."
Tom Eades message read:
"What an amazing community and school corporation we have in Walton. I cannot express enough gratitude to everyone when it comes to the kindness and love everyone has given to Dalton prior to his untimely departure as well as the gathering of support afterwards. He has always felt the love from all of you... We always hear people question the 'what if's', 'what could've been done differently to help Dalton in his struggles?' Dalton was such an amazing kid with joy in his heart and four-wheelers on his mind. One could never imagine that he could not live through another day with whatever pain that was causing him that day. Not his family, not his teachers, nor the community as a whole. We all support each other through these low times and hold each other up knowing things will get better. I appreciate the school for being a vital part of his life and reaching out to my family. I also appreciate the community for holding the hands of the youth while dealing with the unforeseen circumstances. Thank you and please continue to keep us in your prayers as we learn to live without him."
The public comments portion of the meeting followed and the mourning community members shared ideas with the school board that might help students in the future.
One idea was a program called Student-to-Student that is in place in some schools. Diana Kitchel, a volunteer at the elementary school, suggested letting retired members of the community visit and talk with the students.
There was discussion about cell phones and social media. Mental health experts have agreed that social media is a key modern factor when it comes to bullying and mental health, not only in students but adults.
Local youth pastors Tyler Yeakley, alongside his wife Kayla, took over their youth group in August 2022, unaware of how so many young people are struggling.
"Kayla and I are tired of going to children's funerals," said Travis Yeakley. "What we see in our youth group are kids who are hungry for that love. If you just sit down and talk with them and are vulnerable and just show them your heart and you are willing to pursue that relationship with them, they are going to open up."
Friday afternoon, Cass County school superintendents will meet with the Indiana Department of Education and mental health experts from around the state. The meeting will help them learn about how other schools are doing to combat suicide.
Lewis Cass made it easier for students and parents to find mental health information by adding a link to the front page of their website. The mental health resources link can be found on the right side of the page.
