• What Is OWN?
    Watch the preview!
    GO
  • Love 101
    A newsletter for your relationships, in all their forms
    GO

The Truth About Bullying

John Halligan remembers his son Ryan.
Ryan started getting vulgar, homophobic e-mails but didn't tell his parents. He also began long online chats with a girl he liked—which turned out to be a devastating setup. "In front of her friends, she told Ryan: "Look, you're just a loser. I don't want anything to do with you. I was just joking,'" says John, who says he learned about the incident later. "She and a friend started to laugh."

A humiliated Ryan said girls like them made him want to kill himself. A month later, Ryan hanged himself in the bathroom of his home. "I remember screaming: 'Why? Why?'" Kelly says. "I didn't understand it. He just seemed so happy."

"If I had the opportunity to talk to Ryan right now, I would say: 'Ryan, I love you. I want to make sure you understand that I love you. We're going to be together again someday,'" John says.
Related Resources

From The Oprah Winfrey Show Bullied to Death: Two Devastated Moms Speak Out



Please note that Harpo Productions, Inc. and its affiliated companies and entities (including, but not limited to, The Oprah Winfrey Show) have no affiliation with and do not endorse those entities or websites referenced above, which are provided solely as a courtesy. Please conduct your own independent investigation (including an investigation as to whether any contributions are tax deductible) before donating to any charity, project or organization. This information is provided for your reference only.