Ohio school district sued by parents of students who committed suicide

Parents of two students who committed suicide as a result of bullying are suing an Ohio school district, The Associated Press reports.

A total of four students at Mentor High School ended their lives in a span of four years. In each case, the students were bullied and ridiculed by classmates, which some individuals believe led to their suicides. The parents of two students who took their lives are suing the school after officials claimed the records of bullying the students reportedly were destroyed when administrators switched computers.

One expert says that the school allows a culture for students that is not conducive for them to thrive, socially or academically. Students from the school claim that the problem is the culture of conformity, and say that if someone is not accepted, they become a prime target for bullies.

Experts say that young people need to be held accountable the first time they offend another person.

Therapeutic boarding schools educate individuals who harm others emotionally or physically as well as those who are victims of bullying through recreational activities. The programs can help them reach levels of success in their behavior and social life.

According to a 2007 study by the National Institute on Mental Health, suicide is the third leading cause of death in young people between the ages of 15 and 24.