A grieving father shares a story of isolation, emotion, and the loss of a child amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The current health pandemic has taken the entire world by storm. From isolation to increased insecurities, the effects have hit like a tidal wave. While the focus has been on the loss of loved ones who have contracted COVID-19 and lost a direct battle with the illness, others are succumbing to the coronavirus in a different way.
”I’ll be damned if I don’t make this a little bit better,” he says in the video. “I want his memory to be his heart. His dedication, his tenacity. He made a big difference in the world, lit a flame. Made a spark around the world.”
We are sharing this viral video to do our part to share Hayden’s story with as many as possible.
(This is a third-party publication. This is a news story about this family’s tragic loss and desire to share their son’s story).
I am so sorry for your loss. I lost a few friends the same way growing up. My friend’s niece and another friends brother both passed in the same way recently too. I don’t think they realized how final it is like you said. Being a kid is tough. And tougher now with what is going on. What a beautiful family you have as well. Beautiful little girl too. May you find some peace in knowing your son, your Angel, watches over you.
If this is real, I am so sorry because it is horrible. However, it seemed very rehearsed, too many details, seems questionable as to its validity. I hope it is not real. Again I am sorry, so sorry if it is. No one to blame if so.
How can this be seen rehearsed? Come on! WAKE UP!
Wow! Whats wrong with u to question a man who lost his son….. ur a special kinda person
Are you out of your fricken mind?! How dare you think this grieving man has rehearsed his story! God have pity on you
OMG, I can’t even imagine your pain, I pray to GOD that I NEVER know. Thank You for sharing this and may GOD ALWAYS be there for you!
Let me start with, I am so sorry for your loss. In August of 2019 I lost my own father to suicide the same way. That pain and that anger and confusion you feel, I felt too. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions and anger with myself. I know you can’t blame yourself, but you do. There’s always “maybe,” “maybe if I did this or that.” But the issue is you can’t make maybes, you can only live in the moments you had. You can’t change what you did or said, and you can’t change change what happened no matter how hard you cry and scream. I wish everyday that I could have done something or been there to talk him down. In that moment, his own thoughts were dark thoughts. I wish everyday I could speak to him or hear his voice. I just want one more hug.
Once again, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I fee for you and with you. I hope you take this and make what you can with it. I pray for your family and the pain they feel.
-Justice
I’m so sorry for this. I also agree with you when it comes to this social isolation; and I know I can sound as an ignorant because I don’t work in the health field, and I am not witnessing what they are witnessing, but for the last years, I started doubting about the media. I know the virus is true, but I just think they want to make us crazy, how? Playing with our mind, forcing us to change every part of our lifes. I’m really sorry for this loss.
As sad as this is, I agree with you 100%. If this kid was that good at Frotnite and played as much as it sounds like he played it, I’m pretty sure he spent a lot of time in his room alone to begin with. Dad admitted he stays up too late playing games. I also hate how he blames no PE in school. Well, get outside and take a hike with your family. Ride bikes, go for a walk. There are many alternatives. Nobody needs to be playing video games for hours on end, especially violent games! I feel sad for the family that they lost their son, but this describes ALOT of kids that I know and I work in a school. The parents need to make time for their kids and not let them be glued to a screen all day.
Maybe think before you speak. What is wrong with you?!
What a tragic loss, but a beautiful tribute from a father about his son. I pray for your family and may your son rest in Heavenly peace.
I cried listening to this poor hurting man and he’s right this isolation is hard on us but worse on the kids,,thank you for sharing this . I HOPE IT WAKES OTHERS UP TO WATCH N LISTEN TO THEIR CHILDREN AND PEOPLE u never know what this will do.
Oh dad, My heart hurts. I’m out here trying to work with this exact purpose, for kids. As a interventionist of all types. Just know I will think of your precious son each and every time a child is struggling. You are correct, the isolation along with combined pandemic. I’ll do all I can while having your son in my heart.
So much love ,
Maria
Life/Health & Kid Coach
Sorry for your loss. We send our best to you. Cherish the time you have with your other loved ones and remember your son by taking about all the great times you had with him and how proud you were of the special things he did. This way he is always in you heart and mind, which keeps him alive. The best to you and your family. Stay healthy and take care.
This really hits home for me. I have worried about my son’s mental health. He could have very well been talking about my 12 year old as he does all the same stuff and acts the very same way. Plays Fornite nonstop, throws his controllers, yells at the screen. These kids have got to get back to normal, COVID19 or not. Their futures depend on it.
I am so sorry for your loss sir 🙁
God bless this good man and his family. I hope they feel Hayden is still near them & watching over them from Heaven.
The games are highly addictive. This father is BRAVELY sharing his heart. He admits much himself; so many ppl struggle to know how to best handle their emotions. And most suicidal victims, as the dad said, do not recognize the permanence of such. His pictures with his family show his love. None of us are perfect, only human. There is SO much we can take away from all that he shared (beyond merely covid). SO so SO much. And this father cared enough to take the time to put it out there for us to ponder. He seems to have faith, which I am glad. Hope and trust must be held onto. He trusts his son is in a better place. And has hope that he will see him again and give him the long hug he so misses. One thing covid reminds us … we don’t have all the answers; this tomorrow life is uncertain, unpredictable, and full of heartache; tomorrow is promised to no one; life as we know it is not either. God bless this family. Comfort them. God bless our nation. God bless our leaders and their decisions, that those who tend not to, will look past their selfish agendas. God bless all those who have lost loved ones, from covid, from loneliness, from despair, from the many ailments in our world.
I am sorry for your loss your FAMILY, AND YOUR SON WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS I know not much can be said to help but everyone is affected in they’re own way I hope u and your family get better soon.
I can’t imagine what you and your family are going through. I, sadly did have something very similar hit close in my family, but it wasn’t my child. You and your family will be in my prayers. May God continue to give each of you strength. Your son was a beautiful soul!
I’m sorry for your loss but it really sounds like he had issues that either you where unaware or didn’t see. Either way I don’t think it was the coronavirus or isolation that killed that kid. It was his in ability to process his emotions and separate the permanence of death. I’m not saying it is anyone’s fault but as a person who has struggled with suicide I know that it wasn’t the isolation. It was disappointing his parents that sent him over the edge. I hope that you can move past this for your other children. I’m sending all my love!
Really dude? His parents didn’t send him over the edge. And also, his parents are gonna know him better than YOU. So if his dad says it was isolation and Covid. It was exactly that. You ca send your love and support to them. But don’t be a passive aggressive asshole to the poor man and his family. They lost their son, they don’t need you telling them what was happening with there son.
Well said Zoe. If you can’t just leave condolences, then please, don’t say anything at all. The family is hurting enough.
Are you even serious right now?? I am a mom of a child currently in crisis that has attempted Suicide and is in a deep depression right now because of this isolation!! Kids are like butterflies they need to be active and social!! They shouldn’t have to be locked up like prisoners, yes he may have had underlying problems or been overly worried about disappointing his parents but he also probably wouldn’t have been so irritated had he been able to live his life they way a child is meant to! This has taken a toll on many many people of all ages! I can not believe how Heartless you were in your comment if you can’t simply say sorry for your loss and move on then maybe you should just not say anything at all!!!
I agree with you, that individual could have kept their opinions and theories to themselves and either gave them condolences and went on, or gave them encouraging and uplifting words. Out of love as they claimed above, not so much. Hugs to this family and know he’ll be forever in your hearts. 💕
Seriously what is wrong with you. Are you really so self-absorbed that you think everyone’s struggle with mental health is exactly the same as yours? If you even pretend to care about people struggling and those close to them you should keep your mouth shut in the future.
In reality
In reality; coronavirus didn’t kill his son, the situations due to C-19 might have had some effect or friction on the entire situation. The implications implicated for the protection of us Americans, absolutely they will and already have had major impacts on people’s lives and everyday life of about everyone on the continent. Truly this family is out looking for some kind ““repayment”” from the government mostly, but likely holding their hands out to anyone or any places – I.E. Government’s; States, Federal, etc. thanks for your reading of this comment.. don’t care if I make some people mad or frustrated or down right pissed on or off. . . : This day in age they are always after something sorry, that’s how it works in today’s age. He’s after a Fortnite and the Government. In reality this father is rather intelligent; I would do it too honestly because we’re going talking about a suicidal action that was watched by the baby sister!!?! Daddy told her you like money?? She answered yes daddy and he said well honey; If you tell the scary guys in the pants suits you watched him and this is what happened or you saw… Etc.…etceteras etcetera
Wtf is wrong with you!? Where in his video did he say or even lead to he wants the government or fortnite to pay?! He’s saying if his son could have had child interaction or been able to run around in PE or even just go to school he wouldn’t have been stuck to a video game to be frustrated! He already clearly blames himself for not being able save his son so go somewhere else with your cruel comment!
That is disgusting to even say! You should pray for your soul
You sound like an idiot. “Implications implicated” stop trying sound intelligent. Because you don’t.
Why? Why must you say such hurtful things to a parent who is already devastated by something so horrid. Do you have children? Well I think I feel sorry for them if you do. If you can’t say something nice, ….I think your rude behind knows the rest. geeze.
yes we know that but corona virus kept him even more isolated it made it worse period had he not been quarntined running outside or whatever with his friends would have kept his mind busy . come ob bow
You’re an ignorant human.
The guy’s tag line is fucked12345. Perhaps not the most reliable authority on anything
He is a kid! Most of us adults struggle to process our emotions! A lot of us can’t, especially now! How dare you put the expectations on the child or his family to process them! Next time stay silent. Next time just keep it to yourself before using that word “but”. Next time just out yourself in the other human beings shoes and stop at “I’m sorry for your loss”.
Very sad for the family to go through such a horrible experience but agreed you cant blame a virus for your sons mental health issues.
You need to remove that god awful comment. Kids are suffering from isolation & are depressed due to Covid… that is a fact. God bless your beautiful family. So deeply sorry for your loss. No parent should ever have to endure this tragedy. God Speed.
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you and your family. Prayers for strength for all of you and thanks for sharing your story and creating an awareness. 🙏🏻❤️
That is a horrible response jazmine. I struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts and YES isolation makes it worse. Just because it is not your situation, does not mean it was not this little boys situation.
God bless this family.
Really i think you just dont get it. The entire point of this is that those with other mental struggles are absolutely being sent over the edge because of the situation created by the coronavirus. There have been spikes in OD and suicide attempt admissions at hospitals during this time. When children do this, it’s frequently because they cant handle this type of situation and do not truly grasp the permanence of suicide. There are adults with this issue as well.
So yes, this IS caused by the coronavirus. When a negative mental health situation is already in existence, even slightly, this type of situation absolutely can push it to an extremely severe situation. In this child’s case, as well as many others, the Coronavirus lockdown has given it that push. Your discounting of this issue reflects how so many people truly don’t grasp the severity of how this can affect mental health.
Take an L on this one….
I have worked in the mental health field for 23 years. Kids that age are incredibly impulsive. He didn’t want to die. He wanted to escape the pain he was feeling in that moment the only way he could think of… I am so, so sorry this family had to lose their son this way. There is no way to know what exactly was going through his mind, but I have seen first hand the effects of this social isolation on kids. This kid had a loving family and stable home… and this till happened. There are kids out there right now who have abusive parents…whose only escape and maybe only real meals of the day, or kind words, are found at SCHOOL. Parents are stressed out. Some dealing with job loss. So NO WAY can you definitively say it wasn’t the isolation. But isolation from this pandemic is going to be directly or indirectly responsible for loss of life. Mental illness. Substance abuse. And yes, suicide. I hope you delete your reply because it is a damn shame that you say your are sending love and yet judging his father for sending “him over the edge.”
So very sorry for the loss of your sweet Son. Such a handsome little guy. This touched my heart with many tears. I know the loss of a Son, it’s heartbreaking! Sending many thoughts & prayers to you & your family, at this very difficult time. May God bless you with comfort & strength .
I am so sorry for loss. It is heartbreaking. You and your family are in my prayers. These are very stuff times for everyone. I have seen children his age do things like this in the ER. . It is a rash decision. They don’t understand the finality of it. It is hard to explain but it is a very impulsive action that they don’t think they’re going to die. I will never understand it. People shouldn’t be calling this man a bad parent. I give him credit for talking about. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
So sorry for your lost prayers to you and your family.
wow..those GAMES are the Devil. God Bless you
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My heart hurts for your son, you, your daughter, wife and all your family. May God comfort all of you. I am so sorry.
Gut retching. As a former teacher, this hits at my heart. Mental illness is a real problem as there is no one to talk to or help blow off steam in person which is what we are used to. Also, our preteens make quick decisions not thinking clearly through the consequences. Do not blame yourself for not doing enough. Instead keep his legacy alive by talking to others and becoming an advocate for change and help. My prayers to all.
Thank you for sharing your story. I have been noticing a huge change in my son as well and never looked at how he’s taking this whole change. I’ve tried talking to him and asking him what is wrong and at 6 yrs of age, he doesn’t know.
I feel for you and your family and am in tears as I watched this. Your daughter is very corageous for her acts and I commend her for that. I hope you all get the healing you will need from this tragic event. Again, thank you for sharing your story.
My heart goes out to you and your family! I thank you for sharing this with us. Your son was so handsome and had a nice smile. I have a 7 and 9 year old boy. So i can only imagine your pain!! May God give you the strength and love that you need to be able to continue with life to live for your family. Again i thank you for sharing this video because i know that in one way some how it has reminded us that this has been and continues to be a difficult time for our kids and we need to be more understanding and more patient and show them love and communicate.
God bless you and your family!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
People. This Dad doesn’t need your ignorant comments. How about just having sympathy and sadness for the family.
Some people are just so cruel it’s sad. This poor man lost his child.
I am so incredibly sorry that you and your family are facing this…It’s absolutely heartbreaking to see how children, especially, have been affected. <3 <3 <3 Much love to you and yours during this horrifically difficult time.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t even imagine what you’re going through. We have a granddaughter your son’s age, and I couldn’t imagine losing her.
God bless you and your family. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Anyone who is putting blame on this man or his spouse for the death of their child needs to just shut up. Did anyone feel concern over the fact that his video ends with him telling his son “see you soon.”?
Sir, if you see these comments I hope that you are alright and not considering harming yourself. Your family still needs you. I am so sorry for your loss, please stay strong and healthy.
I have had a couple of friends commit suicide as well as coworkers and coworkers kids commit suicide. Since yesterday I have watched this video numerous times without my emotions being involved. Once you take your emotions out of the equation you will see things on a different scale. The last 3 or 4 times I took notes to what the father said and that helped me come to the conclusion that I have. I am not sure what state or community this happened in but there were a lot of issues that were missed before covid-19.
Also, telling people to shut up because they don’t feel the same way as you do is a form of censorship. You’re trying to take someone’s figure of speech away.
No, attempting to delete or hide opinions you don’t agree with would be censorship; telling people to shut up is (ironically) exercising one’s right to free speech. You don’t have to listen, as you clearly know because, hey…here you are. That said, some things are better left unsaid. Some opinions don’t need to be shared outside of your own personal circle. You’re forming conclusions based off assumptions that you believe are accurate…because you took notes? One short video and you think you know intimate details about this kid and his family? You should have taken the advice.
Very sorry for our loss.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss and i thank you for sharing this video. My heart goes out to you and your beautiful family
And fathers, do not be provoking to your children, but bring them up with the instruction and admonition of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4
Ara, this man’s child is dead. Why are you preaching to him? Come down off your judgmental soapbox and show some compassion. Here’s one for you “Judge not, lest he be judged”. The Bible is not a box of Chex Mix. You dummy get to pick out the pats you like and you’re the away. Try being human.
How very Christian of you, Linda, to call someone else a dummy! And quoting scripture while admonishing a high horse? What a pious example in humility and service!
BITCH, please.
I am so sorry about ur loss
OMA!!! I’m so sorry for your loss. Words can’t express what needs 2 be said. Wow its an amazing story. May God comfort you as u need it.
Happy bday in heaven buddy.
My heart’s aches reading this. I lost a son as well due to addiction. These are some of the subjects ppl don’t want to talk about, like depression and addiction. God bless your family.
My heart breaks for you. I also lost my son to suicide by gun shot, it will 5 years May 13. I found my son that picture is forever. I pray for you it’s a long road.
I am so sorry. Tears streamed down my face reading this as I too have a 12 year old son, soon to be 13 in about 1 week, and is looking forward to finishing building his new gaming PC for his birthday. Alot of parallels in this story. This virus has resulted in so many visible and invisible challenges in all of our lives. I just cant imagine what u r going through. I will never forget this video, u or Hayden, or your family. Thank u for sharing and opening my eyes to a challenge i was aware of, but not in this way.
I could only imagine how this feels and it’s not something I can even fathom. My heart goes out to you from a parent to a parent.
So sorry for the desperation Hayden must have felt and the emptiness and loss your family is now suffering. May God ease your pain and help you find closure in preserving Hayden’s namesake through all your vurrent and future efforts! God bless! ❤
Tragic story. My heart goes out to you and your family. I hope you are successful in your quest for peace and justice.
I’m so sorry for your loss. As you said, these are hard enough times for adults, let alone children. Sending you hugs and blessings of love and comfort. Thank you for sharing your story. May God bless your family.
My heart breaks. God bless you and your family.
My heart felt condolences to you and your family. And you are correct. This is really hard on the kids
Prayers for strength and understanding 🙏🏻✝️💔
I am so sorry for your loss what a handson young man and i agree with you 100 percent this is cazy its making all kinds of people depressed and it is hard on adults but harder on our children… i was crying with u watching and listen to ur video my heart goes out to u and u and the family are all in my thoughts and prayers..i could not imagine what u are going with i have never loss a child and pray to god i dnt have to i just cant tell u how sorry i am this shit needs to stop or we r gonna see alot of kids killing themself… god bless u all and now ur son is a angel in heaven looking over u all… im so so sorry for loss… he look like such a good kid and a happy kid…i will be sure to share ur video its so sad i cryed watching it and my heart just goes out to u all…god bless from jayleen charles from malone ny 12953
Don’t listen to this comments, don’t let people change your mind!! You did what you could I’m sure isolation can make anyone act someone who their not. I hate people had their negative comments! Keep praying god has you
I’m sorry for your loss! My heart feels the need to do something for you to remember your son forever. What can u do to volunteer and help get his name out and his memory alive. I live north of Boston and I have to do something for your son now and forever. Please let me help you and your family as a volunteer in any way you need. I’m broken by your story and very sad. Please reply!
I am so deeply sorry for all your family is going through..your son will live on as your angel. He will watch over your family..this whole covid situation is starting to put reality in our lives… you truly loved your son and I know he knew that..I just pray that you will find the guidance you need from the Lord. He is our hope..all my love and God bless.. Lisa. Depew, NY.
I am so very sorry for your Loss!!!! I started to read the comments on here and the second one made me too angry to continue!! For one thing for years technology has been changing or world. These games are a mixture between our own mental medicine to a tool to keeps us from learning the wisdom our parents and grandparents were taught. But it has no place in these comments. There was never a manmual included when we brought our children home the very first day of their life so we all scramble to be the parents we invision we should be!! This poor young man was at the age that all of us adults have been at. Too old to be a little kid and too young to be grown up. This pandemic as they call it has been hard on all of us , well I guess most of us, it hasnt bothered me like it bothers others because I had to resort t staying home for years due to the scandalous acts of others that made me afraid to leave my home at all. So to me it is nothing new. This poor young man got so angry or upset that he didnt see any other way evidently and my heart goes out to him and his loved ones. This act is something that will always be imprinted in the hearts and minds of all the people who knew and loved him!!! Yes this pandemic has been hard on the comunities but it also has taught some people to stop and pay attention to what life is suppposed to be about. Staying healthy and taking care of home!! To Haydens family and loved ones : I am so very sorry for your loss mere words can never take away the pain that you are feeling and the loneliness you feel in your heart for this young man. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, God Bless you!!!!
To all others who evidntly dont have a clue what it feels lke to go through this pain or don’t care about how others feel. You people still avent learned some of lifes very important lifes lessons. Number !: Be kind!! Which means treat others like you want others to treat you!!!!!! How hard is this to learn people!!!! God Bless you all and I hope and Pray that Wisdom is the next thing to follow the Pandemic!!!!
My ❤️ goes out to you and your family. You son has a beautiful smile, know that he is in heaven shinning down and watching over you. My thoughts and prayers 🙏 go out to you and your family.
Most of these comments make me sick!!! I lost my 16yr old son. He was hit and killed while riding his skateboard… unless you know the pain of losing a child, keep your mouth shut!!! This pandemic, has caused too many ppl to take their own lives.. It is absolutely ridiculous that some are calling his dad a bad father!!! Shame on you!!! Your parents should be ashamed of raising such idiots!! Thoughts and prayers to Hayden’s family!!!
Every single one of you are missing the focal point of this poor boys death. This death has NOTHING to do with isolation. It has nothing to do with Covid-19, nothing at all. In this video, the father clearly states that the reason he killed himself was solely because he broke his gaming monitor for the SECOND time and feared getting in trouble again. How does that have anything to do with this virus? IT DOESN’T!!!!! You people are so naive. This kid CLEARLY 100% had anger issues PRIOR to this pandemic even starting, exhibit A) he got angry at his game and broke the monitor the first time. That should have been a red flag to the father that his son has anger issues that clearly needs to be addressed by a counselor. But what did the father do? Ignored that red flag. This boy did not die from Covid 19. This boy died from probably years of having some mental illness that his father failed to notice and address professionally. Shame on this father for blaming it on a global crisis and his way of grieving is by running away from his guilt of being a bad parent. If his father had payed more attention to the small abnormal behaviors that give off red flags of mental illness, this suicide could’ve been avoided. It has nothing to do with isolation , point blank, PERIOD. Pay attention to your children and take action when you notice that your child clearly has anger issues and was not mentally stable to begin with. Not to mention his father most definitely contributed to this unhealthy addiction to gaming that a 12 year old should not be introduced to. After he broke the monitor the first time he should have bought him a couple books to read, puzzles for them to both do together, etc. Just the fact that he replaced it with a brand new gaming monitor is outrageously bad parenting because any parent should know that a 12 year old should be doing anything else with their time BUT being glued to a gaming system. Their brain isn’t even fully developed by that age, and you think gaming all day every day will make it better? Covid-19 did not fail him, his parents did.
Anon you are a royal bitch. Just who the hell do you think you are to judge this man,
I could hardly finish reading this horrible comment. Shame on you for blaming these poor parents on the death of their own child. Do your research on mental health. Anger can be a result of utter depression, sadness, anxiety. They are all related. A situation like the one that occurred with him and the game simply were a trigger for him, the last straw. His death has absolutely nothing to do with his game. His death has everything to do with the fact that mental health is so incredibly difficult to take care of in a time of isolation. The parents are bringing awareness to something so critical going on in homes. Bringing awareness immediately after death is not easy to do, yet they are doing it because it is important to speak about it.
To the parents of this beautiful boy, I am so sorry for your loss. This is not your fault by any means, and I am so very grateful for desire to speak up. This is not at all easy, and I hope that you know you’re not alone. Lean on others, ask for help when needed, and keep your beautiful heads up. You are incredible parents, and I’m so very sorry for what you’re going through.
No doubt you’re anon, you coward. And a despicable human being.
Shocking you chose to stay anonymous. What a heartless senseless disgusting response.
I can’t believe that anyone can be so heartless. You can sit there and blame his parents as if they are bad parents. I’m sure that you have perfect children, right. Well let me fill you in on a thing or two. There is not one perfect child out there. There is not one perfect parent or parents. When you have children you will soon learn that every child comes with their own set of rules. You both learn as you go. You make mistakes and you learn something new each and every day. Yes there was some anger issues, but who is to sit there and say that it was only those issues that caused all of this. Emotions run higher in tougher times like we are in. As his Father stated it is hard for adults to cope right now, let a lone children and teenager’s. They are still learning coping skills just like we as adults learn as we come to new experiences. Shame on you for blaming him for being a bad parent. No parent is great and knowledgeable on everything children do. I dont care if you have a PhD in child psychology or on raising the perfect child. There is no such thing as perfect unless you are God. And as far as I can hear you are not God. GOD would not tear another living soul apart as you did. He merely was stating he feels as if Hayden was killed by covid19 due to isolation. And not being able to go out and be in the world with his friends and family. We as humans NEED daily interactions with other humans. It is what keeps our emotional health going. You really need to evaluate where you stand as a parent and human.
Whether or not he actually had something going on mentally isn’t something one gets to assume. His father never once mentioned signs if a mental illness. People get mad. I’ve watched people get frustrated over video games most of my life. That doesn’t mean they have anger issues. All it means is that in the moment, whatever happened during the game was upsetting. His father mentioned him having been competitive. That most definitely could have had something to do with it. He was human. Not necessarily mentally ill. His father’s reaction was a good one. He outlined what his child needed to do and watched him grow as a person. Humans are social. We need that social interaction from other people. With this virus forcing us to stay isolated, it is impacting people that do have mental illnesses. That’s especially true considering how it impacted someone with no defined illness. Depression isn’t the only cause for suicide. It is a huge contributing factor for most, yes. But not in all cases. To a 12 year old boy, whatever problems he was facing was enough for him to decide that suicide was the only way to make it better. I know from personal experience that you have to be in a lot of pain to even think of that, yet alone follow through. The point of all of this is simply that you can’t assume any of what you did. When it comes to mental health, everyone is different. What impacts a person so badly that it drives them to suicide may seem mundane to another person. I cannot stress enough that whatever he was dealing with may seem small to you and as if there just has to be some underlying reason could have just been a bad day to him. One that he felt he could never come back from. In the future, I simply urge that you really think before adding a comment like this. This boy has a family that is having a hard enough time trying to cope with such a huge loss. Perhaps do some research on the impact isolation has on a person. Make sure you know the subject matter before deciding to call someone a bad parent.
Anon if ya don’t have guts enough to sign your name to that trash … keep your pie hole shut !!
Anon you are a real ignorant piece of poop.
Abon it’s sad you have such ltitle compassion for this man that you feel the need to analyze what your interpretation of what happen to his precious son. I agree with the isolation causing depression . I felt it myself. especially when it’s all hiped up lie. May I say to this family I will say a prayer for you and I’m truly sorry for your loss. losing a child comes with a heartache like ones never experienced. I know all to well as my oldest sone past at 32. Avon please be nicer.
Wow!!! Keep your negative comments to yourself!!! A young boy lost his life, his family will forever see these comments. Cant you be nice!!! Instead of blame and assume things. I hope Karma bites you in the ass!!! Covid19 and the idiots who isolated everyone has a lot to do with a lot of things. You just make me sick!!! HELL is waiting for you!!!
Anon, you need God!
I didn’t watch the video because it’s 3 am and my family is sleeping so I don’t want the noise to wake them. I started reading the comments instead. You hit the nail on the head. Parents should be aware of their children’s behavior and get them help before it’s too late like this father. It’s so heartbreaking to hear that his son committed suicide; especially at such a young age.
You are a piece of work… Kids throw shit… This isolation clearly has everything to domwith it… My. Kid has thrown things.. we talk about.. he didn’t purposely break the monitor the first time… It states he tossed the controler behind him… Don’t Blame the parents they didn’t fail this child… You should be ashamed for even spuing them words out of your mouth…
You obviously have never seen a child or adult play video games because this is normal. Shit happens and controllers break. A child that is 12 years old does not know how to control emotions and he was scared. But the social isolation made those emotions 1000x worse. The fact that you say this father didn’t do his job is disgusting. He is a good father. He taught his son life lessons about working for the things he wants. And he did. He thought he was going to ruin his birthday party that wasn’t even a party. This is not on the father. He was on the phone he didn’t know. HUMANS ARENT PERFECT. I GUARANTEE YOU ARENT PERFECT. If you’re a parents you’re obviously not a good one. Learn to have some respect and some empathy to a father who just lost their child. Maybe if you weren’t an anonymous comment you wouldn’t have written this comment at this poor man. You should be ashamed of yourself.
You a a very cruel person Anon. I have a 16 year old mentally ill suffers eating disorder, anxiety, depression etc. We are good parents to her. Unfortunately we don’t always get as lucky to be as perfect as you and have perfect parents. kids, lives etc. Most have to work with the cards they are given. Covid has been very hard in all of us. It has been extremely hard on my 16 year old. She feels very isolated which contributes more to her anxiety and depression. We do work with her medical community to assist her but as times right now it can be challenging. This happen to anyone. I mean even a perfect person like you.
Totally…kids especially under 15 shouldn’t play games like that. Maybe for an hour a week. Not daily. So sad. Parents have to BE parents
Anon, you are a fucking idiot!
I agree, I don’t think his suicide was due to isolation, as his dad explained, Gaming was his world. That’s an indoor activity. I don’t think he cared much about going outside. What I question about this video is if it’s even a real story or not. I know suicide is a real issue, even amongst the youth. I’m fully aware of that. But I question is this story is true because of the dads tears, there’s something about them that just didn’t seem real. The type of crying that happens when someone losses their child is way more intense then the crying that happened in this video. Very little tears shed considering it’s the loss of a child. That’s the part that makes me question the validity of it all. Not that I don’t care about hurting families but the validity of this. Does anyone else feel this way? I just feel like there would have been way more tears while he was talking throughout the video. You know what I mean?
And is this is a true story, truly I am sorry for your loss.
Anon, I pray with all my heart that you never experience the loss that this family has! God have mercy on your soul, may you fumble for words each time you speak with malice, may you stomp your toe each time you try placing yourself in front of someone and may you realize God Don’t Like Ugly each time you look into a mirror!!!! But most of all may you humble yourself and ask for forgiveness, I can’t imagine what your words have done to that father, you should definitely be ashamed of your actions! No matter what happened or why it happened you have NO!,,, right to judge anyone!,,
All of these negative comments disgust me. I am so sorry for your loss and I am so proud of you for using this tragedy as a way to influence change. You’re a strong person and your son will he missed.
I am so sorry for your loss of this beautiful young man. I pray for his eternal happiness🙏 I’m not sure that covid was the reason for suicide……this is such a hard age for kids and I believe boys are more susceptible for some reason. We all need to do more to bring attention to this state of mind that takes our children’s and adults lives. Blaming someone is not the answer! We do however, need to pay more attention to the time spent on some of the gaming apps………these kids minds are not fully developed and can be easily influenced and they can exhibit spontaneous behavior at times. Please watch and really listen to your children! Read up on suicide and help in any way you can💗💗💗
These comments infuriate me. Yes this child obviously had mental health issues. One does not take their own life on a whim. As an adult who has suffered from depression most of my life, I can tell you that it can easily be hidden from others. I did it for years. I didnt even realize it for what it was for many year . To blame this father is asinine. I am having more difficulties with this lock down state and I’m an adult who is actively working on things, seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist, and its hard on me. If you do not know what this illness is like a d what it can do then just be quiet. To this family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences and ignore the ignorance of those who are looking to make themselves feel better by making others the villain. Shame on you people.
I’m so glad you shared your sons story. This story can bring awareness to other patients and hopefully put discussions into homes and save lives. God bless your family.
May god bless you. I am so sorry for your loss. Hayden will always be with you . Thank you for sharing your story.
Reading these comments alarm me as a mother and medical professional. No one has the right to judge someone else. No one lived in that home to make blatant comments about child rearing. This child, most likely, had depression or another mental disorder that contributed to this tragedy. Let’s just hope the best for his family left behind. God Bless.
That’s exactly why people are making judgements though. You’re probably right and I agree with you, this child did most likely did have a mental illness well before this pandemic started, therefore, the father has no right to blame it on the virus. The father should have been a good father and payed attention to small abnormal behaviors his son had and if he did that he could’ve handled the situation and got him into counseling to control his anger issues, depression, whatever the mental illness may be. Shame on the father for blaming it on a global pandemic and running away from the obvious… which is that he was not a good parent.
You have No idea…
he could have gotten help already and no one was able to. Like with my sister in law. We tried. We all tried. Many many doctors tried. But we all knew someday she’d try it again. She did and this time it worked. It doesn’t make me a bad sister in law or her family bad people. We all did what we could
And he can blame the virus. The virus is what put him over the edge I’m sure. Like it will So many
Are you dumb? You know damn well if it was you in this situation you would be mad if someone called you a bad parent for not noticing things that are easily hidden if someone wants them to be. This poor boy probably had mental illness struggles and was probably doing better when he was able to go out in the community. When you are stuck at home and struggle with mental illness it can turn deadly because you have no escape. So before you go running your mouth trying to judge others think about how you would feel if it was you in this situation.
Addiction is what killed this child.
You should be ashamed of yourself. This child had nothing better to do than play his video games. He was a hormonal 12 year old boy. Unless you yourself suffered from hormones going that bizarre at once, I’d advice you to keep your mouth shut. Thankyou.
As a teenager myself what r we supposed to do were told you can’t go shopping you can’t be with friends stay home is what we are being told
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY, MAY YOUR SON RIP! TAKE IT 1 DAY AT A TIME.
I’m sorry that you guys are experiencing this and I know it’s hard. Parents are unsure too how to help. Talk with them see if you guys come up with ideas. I did that with my son.
Shame on you!!!
Are you serious? Or just have no Compassion!!!!. You can clearly see this is a caring father and stated the kids were isolated. I’ve had 2 nephews commit suicide 17 months apart by hanging both of them found by their mothers my sister in laws which were sisters. If you had nothing nice to say you could have just said rip and moved on. I really hope you never have to experience what it’s like. Now you have a blessed day
Tammy I am so sorry to hear of you and your family’s losses. My stepson committed suicide at 17. He was happy, always loving, enjoyed his friends, camping, fishing and hunting…. and one day he’s gone. He and a girlfriend had broken up and that’s always hard at that age…. we can’t be sure if it was that or something else. It is the most gut-wrenching and heart breaking thing to lose a loved one… and to see a child take their life…. As this father said, maybe it was on purpose, maybe it was an accident, but believe that at that moment they did not see the finality of it nor would they see the lifelong pain in the heart of his parents and loved ones and friends that his death would cause. It is in a split second, and seeing no way out of it at that moment…. it’s all so hard. What shameful things have been said on here. If you have no compassion or empathy, keep it to yourself. This man, and so many others, have lost their child…… let that sink in, if you have any heart left to feel, use it to say nothing, rather than saying something so painful and pointless. If you don’t think parents don’t think back to every moment that wasn’t perfect…. or to look back and see nothing that gives you reason to think they are so depressed they will take their life…. they don’t always show it…. Parents punish themselves enough- you don’t need to help.
You sound dumb bitch
The child played all hours and before all this covid 19 started…bcz, his dad said that he was very good at it as well….I am sorry he took his own life due to another broken monitor for his game….to me it sounded like his was a spoil child….if, he didn’t get his way, he would throw a tantrum ….for Example breaking his monitor again for his precious game FORTNITE …. I am sorry….It wasn’t the child’s fault just poor parenting is all….
You are retarded, CHOLI. I have suffered through self harm and suicidal thoughts during the pandemic, and I am 13. and a half years old. I developed this due to feeling like I was alone with nowhere else to go. Video games have been the thing that help get me through this, and the fact that you think the game was the reason he killed himself is atrocious. Until you have been the suicidal one, stop talking about something you don’t know shit about.
Like most
“Rachels” I know, you sound like an idiot
Listen to the birds.
I’m so, so SORRY for your loss… Prayers for you and your family!
Omg I’m so sorry about your son .as I’m reading this my grandson is 11 sitting here playing fortnite and he gets angry sometimes also at the game but gets through it ..I hope and pray you get through this sir .again so so sorry ..and thanks for sharing ..lisa