Halligan speaks against bullying at FDA

John Halligan and his family were torn apart by bullying. His son, Ryan, committed suicide on October 7. 2003. He was only 13. Ryan had been a victim of cyber bullying for months before his death, something John believes aggravated undignosed depression in his son.

“Ryan was one of the very early victims of what’s now called cyber bullying. That wasn’t even a term back in 2003,” says Halligan.

Halligan began sharing Ryan’s story in 2005 to students at local schools in Vermont, where his family was living at the time of Ryan’s death. The message quickly spread and Halligan now travels around the nation educating teachers, parents and students about the dangers of bullying.

“Back then everyone was worried about pedophiles and predators, meeting up with strangers they met online. And I contacted internet safety and said, ‘look this is a bigger issue! It’s how they’re mistreating each other,'” he adds.

Halligan spoke to students at Fort Dale Academy on Monday, to start off their school year. The students were touched by Halligan’s bravery, and many left the presentation with a feeling that they can make a difference.

“I think that it will be extremely life changing, not only for me because I feel a new found courage with that, I feel it will be life changing for other people too,” says Junior Hannah Schofield.

Junior Braxton Daniels hopes younger students know they can come speak to them if they’re being bullied or feel depressed, saying, “Talk to somebody. Don’t be afraid to talk to somebody. Just ’cause you’re being bullied, not everybody wants to be that bully. People are here for you.”

Halligan hopes the Fort Dale students realize they are so loved by their parents. His memories of Ryan are there to remind them they would be missed if they were gone.

“You know it’s funny, I get asked a lot, ‘what would Ryan think of this presentation?’ Honestly, the thirteen-year-old version of Ryan would be mortified!” he laughs. “‘Dad, what are you doing?! You’re sharing way too much!’ But I also believe the adult spirit of my son would… I would hope he’d be proud of me.

Halligan also held a presentation for Fort Dale parents who want to stay up to date on the technology their kids might be using to bully one another. He also wants to tell parents and teachers about the warning signs of teenage depression. For more information about Ryan’s story and his father John’s message, click here.