A local initiative designed to help young people who might be considering suicide is attempting to gain traction in the community in the wake of the loss of its namesake.
The justice.4.JUSTICE Foundation was established in memory of Justice Catherine Farmer, who was a 14-year-old student at Ola High School when she took her own life one year ago last week. That decision was the end of an ordeal that her mother said was triggered by bullying from some fellow students as well as friends of theirs, according to her mother, who said that these events led her daughter to hate school and ultimately be preyed upon by older males involved in unsavory activities.
“A beautiful young lady full of love and light has been lost,” stated Erin Witham, Justice’s mother. “Our community of students who attacked her verbally and emotionally pushed her over that point of no return, and we as a community need to do something about this.”
A memorial ceremony was scheduled at Ola High last week on the anniversary of Justice’s death, which remained in place through the weekend for students to see as they came to school.
The foundation created by her family is intended to bring awareness to the community about the threat of teen suicide and drugs inflitrating local schools, with the hope that parents and educators will do a better job of communicating with young people about how to ask for help and report issues when necessary in a safe manner. Witham alleged that the staff at Ola High and Excel Academy were aware of the bullying in Justice’s case but “put it off as no big deal,” and that DFACS also failed to protect her.
“We as a community need to come together to make sure our own kids know bullying is not okay and the effect that it takes on those being bullied,” stated Witham. “We also need to make sure our kids know a safe and confidential way to report these issues. We need to come together before it’s too late for someone else as well.”
A website, justice4justice.weebly.com, contains information about Justice along with photos of her and her friends as well as comments from those who were closest to her. There is a link on the home page for anyone who wishes to chat with a trained counselor or call a suicide prevention hotline.
