One of the most stunning things the 13 Lewiston Middle School students revealed during a frank discussion about their lives was how prevalent cutting is in middle school. Contacted days later, Roslyn Gerwin, director of pediatric psychiatry consultation service at Maine Medical Center in Portland, wasn’t so surprised. In her experience, cutting — or burning […]
Anie Graham
One Lewiston student's experience with bullying
LEWISTON — “Joy” is 13 and an eighth-grader at Lewiston Middle School. She didn’t feel comfortable sharing her story in front of a group of other middle-schoolers at a recent Sun Journal forum, so she spoke to the newspaper separately. For years, she said, she’s been bullied by other students. “This past year I was […]
Lewiston schools move forward after suicide
LEWISTON — The first messages were scrawled on sticky notes and lined along the top edge of the mirror in a Lewiston High School girls’ bathroom. “Breathe. Everything will work out.” “Stay strong.” “You are loved.” In the center of the glass: “LIVE.” Within hours, a stack of blank sticky notes and a pen appeared […]
Lewiston superintendent speaks out on recent student suicide
LEWISTON — School Superintendent Bill Webster expressed to the School Committee on Monday his sadness for the recent death of a middle school student. “As has been reported, Anie (Graham) left the school with her parents, identified at risk. They went to her medical provider, then after that went to the hospital, and with that […]
Teen ER visits up after Lewiston girl’s suicide raises alarm
LEWISTON — Thirteen children have been taken to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center’s behavioral emergency department in less than 48 hours, a number that officials there call “a sharp increase.” But while that worries medical staff — children and teens go to the behavioral Emergency Department for severe depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health […]
Teen suicide: Community shares grief, ideas
Alex and Kate Brenton, son and mother, attend a public forum on suicide at The Green Ladle in Lewiston on Thursday evening. Tonya Bailey-Curry of Lewiston speaks at a public forum on suicide held at The Green Ladle in Lewiston on Thursday evening. Lindsey Crawford receives a hug from middle school guidance counselor Katharine Hildebrandt […]
Anie Graham’s parents talk about trying to get help for their daughter
LEWISTON — For 18 months, Annabella “Anie” Graham, 13, suffered from depression. She cut herself. She cried at night that she wanted to die, her parents said. They were at their wits’ ends trying to get her the mental health help she needed, but were unsuccessful. On Monday, Anie, a seventh-grader at Lewiston Middle School, […]
Bill Webster denies adults were made aware of bullying at Lewiston Middle School
LEWISTON — School Superintendent Bill Webster released a statement at noon Thursday saying he was not aware of any adult, inside or outside the school, who was made aware that the Lewiston Middle School student who died Tuesday was bullied. According to Webster’s statement, two of her classmates approached him directly “to say that she […]
Students rally against bullying outside Lewiston Middle School
LEWISTON — About 30 Lewiston Middle School students skipped class and quietly gathered outside the school Wednesday to rally in support of a fellow student who died Tuesday and to protest bullying at the school. The girl’s cause of death has not been officially released, but education officials this week sent parents information on […]
Lewiston Middle School mourning death of student
LEWISTON — Lewiston Middle School teachers, students and families were told Tuesday about an unexpected death of a female student. “We grieve for her and her family,” schools Superintendent Bill Webster said. Counseling and support services for students were offered Tuesday and will continue. The School Department will support the girl’s family any way it […]