Nigel Shelby, a 15-year-old student, committed suicide after suffering homophobic bullying at school. The student took his own life on April 19 in Hunstville, Alabama.
After the boy's death, a student at the same school, Nadia M. Richardson, started an awareness campaign about mental health and the consequences of bullying and homophobia.
“I’m still processing this loss,” she wrote of Shelby’s death.
According to Nadia, “We have a lot to understand and a lot of work to do. Racism, sexism, homophobia, classism; This is all part of society. Bullying is a byproduct of a world ill-prepared to welcome those who are different.”
One of the GoFundMe page hoped to raise $10.000 to help Shelby's mother raise money to cover funeral expenses. Donations exceeded that goal and raised over $14.000 in just two days.
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, visit this list of global resources.
