Family Shares UPenn Student's Suicide Note

Life is a Precious gift – Priceless – Let’s make sure our children know their worth.  My heart goes out to the loving parents of this young woman and to families who have experienced the same.

I share this story for the one who feels that suicide is the only way out. Know that your situation is not hopeless and that you are loved. Please reach out to your parents/parent, clergy, teacher or a friend.

In January 2014, 19-year old University Of Pennsylvania track star Madison Holleran jumped to her death, off a parking garage.

The freshman's father says she was overwhelmed in college and struggling with school work. He said she told them about her thoughts of suicide and was seeing a psychiatrist.

Now, one year later, her parents have released her suicide note to People Magazine Here is what she said:

“I thought how unpleasant it is to be locked out, and I thought how it is worse perhaps to be locked in. For you mom...the necklaces... For you, Nana & Papa... GingerSnaps (always reminds me of you)... For you Ingrid...The Happiness Project. And Dad...the Godiva chocolate truffles. I love you all... I''m sorry. I love you.”

Madison's parents say she was a perfectionist. She was also depressed. She'd told her parents she was suicidal. She was going to therapy. But it didn't help. After she died her parents found a draft of her suicide note in her dorm room. It said: 

“'I don't know who I am anymore. trying. trying.trying. I'm sorry. I love you...sorry again...sorry again...sorry again... How did this happen?” I've never been seriously depressed. I've never thought about suicide. I can't imagine that kind of pain. But the other day I spoke with a man who was literally talked off the ledge on the Golden Gate Bridge. He was just moments away from jumping. He told me when he looked at the water all he saw was peace. Peace from his pain. Peace from his depression. Peace from his life.

There are more than a thousand suicides on college campuses each year. U Penn sophomore Elvis Hatcher hanged himself one month after Madison did. FOX 29's Ian Paige talked with a family grappling with their own questions about their daughter's suicide and what parents even friends can look out for.

If you feel suicidal or know someone battling depression, please call 800-273-TALK (8255)

Posted: Jan 22, 2015 4:47 PM EST Updated: Jan 23, 2015 2:51 PM EST

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/25095693/-campus-suicide-reported