READING, Ohio -- With balloons in their hands and tears in their eyes, students at Reading High School remembered a classmate who committed suicide this week.
Maureen Green is one of the many parents who got a phone call from the school Thursday night. The news quickly spread that Shae, 17, took her own life. WCPO is not using the teen's last name out of respect for the family's privacy.
"It breaks my heart so much, because it's such a young life, and there's so many of them that think that's the only answer," Green said.
Shae isn't alone: Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teenagers. Every day, 5,400 teens will attempt to kill themselves, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That's a wakeup call for parents.
"When you are that lost and you feel that alone, it doesn't matter how many people you know," Green said. "You just feel like there is no other way out."
Reading High classmates created a memorial for Shae outside of her locker Friday, with messages that read "Fly high beautiful" and "Beautiful - now and forever." Counselors were on hand for students who needed them.
Green said it's time for people to start talking about suicide, no matter how uncomfortable they may feel.
"It doesn't have to be mom and dad. It doesn't have to be a teacher or principal or anybody like that," Green said. "Just go to one of your friend's parents and talk to them."
Watch the video above to see more about the memorial for Shae.
