BOONE COUNTY, Ky. (WXIX) - Northern Kentucky parents and students are bringing awareness to the community after at least five juveniles died by suicide within the last four months.
Jaimee Seitz is one of those parents trying to make a difference after her 13-year-old daughter, Audree Heine, died by suicide Dec. 2, 2024.
"Audree was very introverted, but she was so artistic," Seitz told FOX19 NOW.
Days still feel like a blur, she says. Her daughter was her best friend.
"If they hear the anguish we're left with without them, maybe they might consider a change of mind of, 'Ok, you know what, I don't want my mom to be like this mom," Seitz said.
Since November, the Boone County Coroner confirmed there have been five juvenile deaths by suicide within the Boone County School District.
A spokesperson for Boone County Schools sent FOX19 NOW the following statement:
"The District has a long history of creating and providing mental health and suicide prevention and awareness programs used in our schools. We have school counselors in every school. Those counselors encourage open communication and offer safe spaces for teens to express their feelings and concerns."
Seitz's main goal is to bring awareness and reduce the stigma behind mental health issues.
"The sooner you start talking about mental health with your kid, with your player, with your coach, with your teammate, with your mom, your dad, the sooner we can help each other," Seitz emphasized. "It really is something that the sooner you talk the sooner we can help each other."
The Northern Kentucky mom says it is important for parents to ask their kids questions, check on them, monitor their social media and take their feelings seriously.
"I think there is a way of asking them. Not making them feel bad about it and not making a joke of it because I feel like kids at this age turn it around and make a joke of it and then it's like, 'No, we're being serious.' I just hope parents can talk to their kids," she continued.
A task force has been formed with the coroner, local leaders and police agencies to develop a plan regarding mental health and resources across the district. That group will meet Thursday.
Call or text 988, the Suicide Hotline and Crisis Lifeline, if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide.