Sponsored by the Municipal Alliances of Franklin Lakes, Oakland and Wyckoff, John Halligan came to speak to students at Ramapo Valley and Indian Hills high schools, and he also spoke to parents in an evening session.
Mr. Halligan conducted two presentations at Indian Hills and will follow with two at Ramapo; one designed specifically for parents was held last evening at IHHS.
Ryan Halligan, who was lost to suicide 8 years ago this October, was a middle school student who was subjected to ridicule, humiliation and bullying. Mr. Halligan and his wife Kelly, have taken this tragedy and sought to bring the lessons learned to students and parents around the country.
Ryan’s story has been featured on Frontline and Primetime, among many other major news organizations and television shows. These nationally televised programs report on Ryan’s story the Halligan’s efforts to bring his story to students around the country – in person.
Their message has been broad-casted into millions of homes, but it is the readiness to bring the message in person that reaches into people’s hearts .
Ryan Patrick Halligan
The world is still in the midst of a communication revolution, and new tools, gadgets, and applications are being introduced daily. But Ryan’s Story is a story about humanity, and the face-to-face presentation brings an emotional impact that no technology could deliver.
Technology is a major theme in the Halligan presentation. It’s understood that the rapid fire communication introduced in just the last decade has changed how we all communicate, and as a society we are still coming to grips with how we both use and abuse these new tools.
Cyberbullying, bullying that occurs over the Internet, is a major element in John Halligan’s presentation. He shares with students the damage it can inflict, and he shares with parents tools to help protect their children.
Mr Halligan, an IT engineer by training, understands that technology itself is not to blame.
While not a fan of Facebook, he and his wife Kelly read every email – and they have already received some after his presentation here. John’s travels prevent him from answering each one, but Kelly Halligan takes on that burden of responding to letters of thanks and letters of personal anguish.
The Halligans have also spearheaded efforts to include education on depression in health study curriculum. They believe Ryan suffered from depression, and unfortunately it went undiagnosed. Eliminating the stigma associated with depression, and educating parents and students on the subject are two fundamental efforts intended to reduce teenage suicide in America.
Speaking to the subject of New Jersey’s new anti-bullying law, the strictest in the country, Mr. Halligan offered an opinion shared by both students, parents, and administrators around the state. The new bullying law has problems.
Many professionals see flaws that are already leading to accusations of bullying where none was intended. It has the potential to overwhelm school resources, and dilute the importance of serious bullying incidents.
Readers are encouraged to learn more by visiting: RyanPatrickHalligan.org for additional resources and information.
Ryan Halligan Story on Frontline
Previous Journal Articles on Bullying
http://theoaklandjournal.com/features/ihhs-students-step-up/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/features/october-bully-awareness-month/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/resource/calendar/the-value-of-phoebe-prince/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/features/what-is-a-bully/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/features/pillars-of-character/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/features/survival-skills/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/features/the-bully-pulpit/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/school-news/middle-school/winning-logo/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/local-events/west-bergen-participates-in-advocacy-week/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/features/anonymous-speech/
Previous Journal Articles on Depression
http://theoaklandjournal.com/oaklandnj/kind-of-a-funny-story/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/features/emotional-stress-and-the-economy/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/health/health-i/the-mind-matters/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/resources/24/the-mind-matters/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/oaklandnj/winter-sadness/
http://theoaklandjournal.com/health/health-i/the-mind-matters/
I had the honor, as Chair of the Oakland Municipal Alliance, to meet and introduce Mr. Halligan at the parent presentation held at IHHS. While I have kept up on bullying trends in society, and bullying policies in schools, his presentation was still an enormous learning experience, as well as an inspiring one. His passion for his children, his wife, and his commitment to helping other children was evident. Having to re-live this tragedy in detail during every presentation, for the benefit of our community and communities around the country, must be a heavy burden. I am very grateful to both John & Kelly Halligan.
I was there for the school assembly and found his story very emotional yet insightful. I agree with all Charlie said about the presentation…that must be so hard to do…