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Champion of Choices is a registered 501(c)(3) Charity non-profit organization.
As such your generous donations are tax-deductible.
Any gift, no matter how big or small, will be much appreciated. Thanks for helping to make a difference in students lives.
Suicide Prevention – Saving Students' Lives
Marc Mero and the Champion of Choices Team work tirelessly to save lives from the tragedy of suicide. There have been several occasions following Marc’s powerful School Presentation where students admitted they had planned to kill themselves that very day. And, because of Marc’s message of Hope and Empowerment, they now feel life is worth living.
The Bullying-Suicide Connection
Research shows a strong link between bullying and suicide. Bully-related suicide can be connected to any type of bullying, including physical bullying, emotional bullying, cyberbullying, and sexting, (circulating suggestive or nude photos or messages about a person). Tragically in several cases where bullying victims killed themselves, bullies had told the teen that he or she should kill him or herself, or that the world would be better without them. The statistics of students affected by suicide are alarming! 
Tragic Numbers
~ For every suicide among young people, there are at least 100
suicide attempts. Over 14 percent of high school students have
considered suicide, and almost 7 percent have attempted it.
~ Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider
suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University.
~ Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people,
resulting in about 4,400 deaths per year, according to the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
~ A study in Britain found that at least half of suicides among
young people are related to bullying
~ 10 to 14 year old girls may be at even higher risk for suicide,
according to the British study.
~ ABC News reports that nearly 30 percent of students are either
bullies or victims of bullying, and160,000 kids stay home from
school every day because of fear of bullying.
High School Student from Oviedo, Florida says:
“Marc, I was in your presentation today at my High School. I was sitting in the back by myself and I was going to go home, and take my own life, then I saw your program... I thought about my mom. How much she loves me. I thought about your story, and why God still has me here. I bawled my eyes out in the bathroom, and realized I'm here for a reason. YOU made me realize that, you saved my life… You came on the perfect day, right when I'd had enough. Thank you.”
Suicide Warning Signs
Suicidal thoughts or threats of suicide need to be taken seriously. Behaviors that are often a precursor to suicide include:
~ Engaging in dangerous or harmful activities (such as taking up smoking)
~ Substance abuse
~ Reckless behavior (such as driving too fast)
~ Self-injury (such as cutting)
~ Depression (often characterized by changes in sleeping / eating habits, and loss of enjoyment of
activities)
Communication is Key
Students should be encouraged to talk about bullying incidents and the affect bullying has on them. If they are experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts, professional help should be sought. Parents, teachers and school administrators need to be diligent about keeping the lines of communication open and asking children if they are being victimized in any way. Most kids don’t want to admit they are being harassed and will often hold in their hurt and pain, and feel that confronting the situation will make it worse. But not talking about it can have drastic results.
The father of a Florida student spoke with Marc Mero just days after his son’s tragic suicide. His son had been bullied on the bus relentlessly. One day he couldn’t take it any more. He texted his mom, “I Love You,” then took his life with a handgun retrieved from his parent’s bedroom. With indescribable pain in his voice, this boy’s father said: “If I only knew. If he had only told me he was being bullied. I would have done something. I would have SAVED MY BOY!”
Saving Lives - High School Student, In Her Own Words.
Before the Choices presentation this was her arm. After she went from feeling worthless to "I Believe"
October 18th, 2012 was THE day. The day I was going to finally end my life. I had it all planned out. After school I was going to go home and either shoot myself or hang myself from my back porch.. I had gotten so sick of all the bullying, all the tormenting at home and school, sick of the name calling, I had lost 8 people to suicide in my life who were all so irrevocably important to me, and the one thing that really set me off that day was in the hallway I was sitting at my locker, and a group of boys walked buy and he threw a book at me that was about suicide. But then I went to the assembly my school was having and I sat in the assembly and listened to this man speak about his entire life.
How he lost everyone, how he lost everything, and how he lost it all so fast. I then realized how my life wasn’t near as bad as his had been. I was being selfish. His presentation was so moving and so truthful, emotional, INSPIRATIONAL. It really got me thinking. I was blubbering in the back row as he talked. It made me think to myself that life is worth living because things DO GET BETTER. His name is Marc Mero and he is the reason I am alive. He is the reason I BELIEVE. I thought that nothing would ever get better. I thought I was ugly, fat, stupid, worthless, a waste of space, etc..
And you know what? I just got a modeling job. I feel beautiful, special, I know there’s a reason I’m alive. Remember this, Words are teeth, be careful what you say because they could eat someone alive. Be kind to everyone you meet. If you are having problems with cutting yourself, or burning yourself, or attempting suicide, etc… you need to realize that it’s not worth it. Believe me, I know. I have OVER 300 scars on my body. They cover my arms, wrists, shoulders, neck, sides, hips, thighs, everywhere. I’ve been cutting since I was in 6th grade.
I am now a junior in high school. You need to stop. And trust me its not easy. It’s as addicting as a drug. But there are other ways to release that feeling of pain, of needing to punish yourself. I draw, I write poetry, I am big on photography, I ride horses so when I felt like that I went to ride my horse, I sing, I listen to music. If you get Marc’s email or personal face book CONTACT HIM he will always respond to you and help you. He will do whatever it takes to help you. He’s done it for me multiple times. It all helps. I PROMISE.
You just have to find what works for you. Go on a walk, call a friend and hang out, get yourself away from the things you can harm yourself with, because you are all too beautiful and too special for that. There is a reason you’re here. BELIEVE THAT. Now put a smile on, it’s a great look on all of you.
Thank you Marc for EVERYTHING you’ve done for me. I hope to be able to be like you one day and help as many people as you do. You’re an amazing person, friend, mentor, You do amazing things in peoples lives just like mine. I BELIEVE MARC. I BELIEVE.
A High School Student in New York says:
"Marc, I was truly moved by your whole presentation, but what really stood out to me was all the death in your life, and also the teen suicides that you have come across. I have contemplated suicide before, but I always come to the conclusion that I deserve to live to be married and have children, and that it wouldn't be fair to hurt my loved ones like that. But something about your presentation really made me think more seriously about the whole subject. After learning about all you've been through, it's showed me that someone who's seen quite darker times than myself can pull through it, and that I should be able to as well. I've been truly inspired by you."
More Testimonials...
Florida Student ~
Just wanted to say that I was really moved by your speech. I now know suicide isn't the answer to my problems, nor is thinking about it. I was very moved. Thank you so much, you're my new hero. I've had a lot of issues in the past, about my weight and my looks, I've been bullied. And I've thought about letting go. And you helped me believe. I'll never give up, or look down. It's amazing in how you changed my life.
New York Student ~
I don't know if you remember me or not, but Thanks again for talking me out of suicide at my school. Im beginning to see life as it truly is and not as it once was as a dark place. You didn't lose this friend anyways thanks again.
Florida Student ~
Good evening Mr. Mero you came to my school on Friday the 30th of September. You made a difference in my life. I was able to relate to my mom smoking and bullying because I was going through some bullying. I thought that telling someone wouldn't make a difference and I was thinking that I didn't matter and was nothing and I was going to have my last day at Sanford that day you came but then you started talking to me and I felt a lot better. I just wanted to thank you so much for coming to the school.
Georgia Student ~
Hey Marc if it wasn't for you i was going to kill myself today after school my story is along and painful one but its easier for me to text or talk on the phone.
Florida Student ~
Honestly , sometimes I feel so alone in the world. I feel like I have nothing to live for anymore. I get depressed over the silliest things and I feel like i have no one to turn to. But then I think about your presentation at Lyman and I rethink everything. You've honestly helped save my life. Thank you so much. Thank you for staying happy and giving teens like me a reason to keep going
Florida Student ~
You came to New Dimensions yesterday and I just wanted to say that you helped me not think about ending my life. Before you came I was constantly thinking about ending my life. The reason is because I am overweight,I consider myself ugly,and I feel alone sometimes. In eight grade I started to cut myself because I thought it was the only way to help me. My parents found out about this and sent me to my guidance consular. They found out that I was depressed. I no longer cut myself, but I am still depressed and think about suicide. But then you came to my school and changed my mind. I want to stay alive and achieve my dream of becoming a Vet and open up my own adoption agencies for pets with no homes. I just wanted to say thank you for helping me see that I should never give up or lose hope.
Georgia Student ~
On Saturday 3/31/12, i accidentally got my mom's new "friend" mad at me, i went out side to the garage and started crying, at that point I didn't want to be alive, but every time i remembered when you said, "Just keep hanging on " it made me cry more, but it gave me the strength to keep on going through that hard time, even though it was tough for me, now i'm more happy teenager (13) than I was before thanks to the things you said at my school. Thanks for everything, your new biggest fan!
New York Student ~
Marc. i go to high school. and i recently saw your presentation. see over the summer I attempted suicide 3 times. I now know it was stupid of my to do. i don't even really know why i did it .. i guess i did it because of kids at school, teasing and tormenting me. never feeling like im loved by anyone. but when i saw your presentation i realized that there is more to my life than the bad things. you presentation inspired me so much that by the end of the presentation i was completely in tears. if u don't write me back its okay ik your probably too busy inspiring other kids around the country. But thank you for helping me.
New York Student ~
I am from Auburn High School NY. I am 14 years old. Thank you so much for speaking to us. People like you make the earth a better place to live in. The suicide thing got to me because I'm going through a really hard time right now.. I think you just convinced me to stay here. Thank you so much for saving my life.
You can help us make a difference in your school and community by scheduling a Champion of Choices production today!
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