“If we had the supports we needed, this would not have happened.” There is profound sadness expressed by La Loche residents at the candlelight vigils, church services, grief circles, hockey arena and local shops.
There is, however, very little obvious anger directed at the accused. “We need to learn from this or it will happen again,” said Herman, who has his own story of being bullied as a gay youth – and says he considered lashing out violently.
“How many murders and suicides do we need?” Herman said all students — whether a bully or the bullied — need more support to learn healthy behaviour.
The lack of psychiatric and other mental health services has been well documented. Others note the shortage of addictions treatment, employment training and other programs in the school and community.
