Parkland Shooting Survivor Sydney Aiello Dies by Suicide at Age 19
Editor's Note
If you experience suicidal thoughts or have lost someone to suicide, the following post could be potentially triggering. You can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741741.
Sydney Aiello, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, died this past Sunday. Her mother, Cara Aiello, confirmed to CBS Miami that her daughter had died by suicide. Aiello was 19 years old.
According to CBS Miami, Syndey was a close friend of Meadow Pollack, one of the students who was killed in the Parkland shooting. Cara said Sydney struggled with survivor’s guilt and had been recently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — though she didn’t reach out for help before ending her life. She added that Syndey struggled to attend her college classes and was afraid of being in a classroom.
“Sydney spent 19 years writing her story as a beloved daughter, sister and friend to many. She lit up every room she entered,” a GoFundMe page for the Aiello family states. “She filled her days cheerleading, doing yoga, and brightening up the days of others. Sydney aspired to work in the medical field helping others in need.”
In the wake of this news, people are talking about the impact of trauma on young people and the need for gun control reform.
This is fucking devastating. and a very real outcome of trauma and very unnatural school shootings. pay attention https://t.co/7MF17cGBJz
— Tanya Chen (@Tanya_Chen) March 22, 2019
American kids are trying to survive war level trauma because 11 Senators are drenched in blood money from the NRA. It's unforgivable. https://t.co/FHmwk3XNKV
— Amanda Guinzburg (@Guinz) March 22, 2019
this is heartbreaking. we have failed the Parkland survivors so profoundly. https://t.co/QWMs8fiDVq
— Diana Elbasha (@DianaElbasha) March 22, 2019
If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone — and there is help for people who feel suicidal. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.
Header image via GoFundMe
Hi, I'm Juliette. I'm the former Mental Health Editor at The Mighty. I joined The Mighty because I believe storytelling is a powerful tool in raising awareness about mental health and trauma. I'm inspired every day by the brave vulnerability of our community. #MightyTogether
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