For over one year, Amanda Todd endured all types of bullying: psychological, emotional, physical, and technological. She tried to end her life twice, and finally posted a video asking for help and relief on YouTube before successfully taking her life.
Todd was a student in Canada when she began being harassed by her peers. After being fooled into sending a topless photo of herself to a "friend," students were able to make copies and tormented Todd for her actions. In the YouTube video, Todd revealed that she "got really sick anxiety major depression and panic disorder. I then moved and got into alcohol and drugs."
The bullying became so intense that she actually switched schools, but things did not stop there. At her new school, she was accosted by a group of approximately 15 students and beaten. Teachers tried to intervene but it was too late, and Todd went home and drank bleach with the hope of ending her life.
Doctors were able to flush the bleach from her system, and Todd left the town to move in with her mother. It wasn't long after the confrontation at her new school that she overdosed on antidepressants. Her life was again saved, and Todd decided to share her "never ending story."
Unfortunately, Todd was found dead on Wednesday. Officials believe she finally succeeded in ending her life. But her video will continue to be seen around the world, which her mother hopes will help others.
"I think the video should be shared and used as an anti-bullying tool. That is what my daughter would have wanted," Carol Todd, Amanda's mom, told The Vancouver Sun.
Todd's former principal told The Vancouver Sun her story was "a very sad case. She was quite connected here. The staff and the students here are very much impacted. She had some very strong ties in the school and to staff in the school. I can tell you we feel we tried everything we could to help her when she came to us."
So far, Todd's video has already received close to 200,000 views on YouTube.
Watch Todd's story here:
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