Ellenville Central School District

On November 20, students and parents of the Ellenville Junior/Senior High School community were visited by a special speaker, John Halligan, who shared a very potent and valuable story. Halligan lost his 13-year-old son Ryan to suicide in 2003, and to add to the family’s heartbreak, it was revealed after Ryan’s death that he was ridiculed and humiliated by peers at school and online.

Halligan’s presentation, “Ryan’s Story” got Ellenville students thinking about some tough topics, like the consequences of untreated depression and bullying.

"You are loved beyond belief. Don't ever believe that you don't matter and that no one would miss you if you were gone," Halligan told the captivated audience. “Never be ashamed to ask for help and don't hesitate to seek help from a friend who has confided in you that they are suicidal.” Halligan stressed that when someone is bullied, it has far-reaching effects. He reminded students a bully “doesn’t just hurt one person, they hurt everyone who loves them.” In our modern world, he said, bullying is often easy to do when you can hide behind technology, as his son’s bullies did.

Halligan addressed the role of the bystander, who often doesn’t know how to stop the bullying they are witnessing. “But those who are friends with people who bully are in the best position to get their friends to stop,” he explained. “They have the most power, the most influential, and the least to risk socially.” He encouraged students to approach a friend if they see them behaving like a bully. “Have the courage to approach your friend,” he said. “It will make both you and your friend better people.”

Clearly, students were moved by his presentation and will not forget Ryan’s story any time soon. Halligan ended his talk by calling them to action, encouraging them to apologize to someone if they feel they may have hurt their feelings. During the evening presentation, Halligan spoke intimately with parents and shared key insights and tips to prevent suicide and bullying, from a parents’ perspective. Parents were then provided with a free copy of his books, “Ryan's Story: A Father's Hard-Earned Lessons about Cyberbullying and Suicide” and “Ryan's Story: Loved Beyond Belief,” and a list of resources from his website.

"Mr. Halligan carried a powerful message about the impact that bullying can have on another child and their family,” said Ellenville Junior/Senior High School Assistant Principal Michael Regan. “We are excited to bring this very important message to our school community as we work hard to ensure every child can come to school feeling safe and welcomed."