The 9-year-old Australian Quaden Bayles has received an outpouring of support after his mom, Yarraka Bayles, shared a devastating video showing her young son reeling in pain and threatening to commit suicide after yet another incident with a school bully.
"Every single freakin' day, something happens, another episode, another bullying, another taunt, another name-calling... I've got a son who is suicidal almost every single day...This is what bullying does," she said in the video that has now gone viral.
Sharing the video in a Tweet, one user reached out to Hugh Jackman asking him to "show this young man he's already a superhero for surviving and that he's stronger than he thinks" and the Aussie actor responded with this heartfelt video.
"Quaden, you are stronger than you know, mate, and no matter what, you've got a friend in me," Jackman said, adding that "bullying is not okay, period. Life is hard enough.... let's just be kind."
Watch the video below or on Twitter:
'An army of friends all over the world'
Quaden also received support from stand-up comedian Brad Williams, who, like Quaden, was born with Achondroplasia dwarfism (a stunted growth condition).
"Please tell this wonderful boy that he has me and an army of friends all over the world that support him," Brad said in a Tweet, adding that he had set up a GoFundMe account so that the mom and son duo could visit Disneyland.
If your teen or someone you know and love has threatened to commit suicide, don't hesitate to support them. Talking to someone who can assist is the best place to start:
Suicide Crisis Line 0800 567 567 or SMS line 31393
South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) Mental Health Line 011 234 4837
Akeso Psychiatric Response Unit (24 hours a day) 0861 435 787
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