“He loved drones, remote control cars, Legos, party games and any manner of building project,” the parents of Benjamin Ellis ’28 said in a letter to the school. “He loved hosting friends, he always stood up for himself and others, especially the ones least able to do so. He was kind and he was thoughtful. At school, he loved being in a community of kids who loved being in a classroom as much as he did. He adored animals.”
Ellis died by suicide on the morning of Thursday, Oct. 17.
In a letter to the community, President Rick Commons said, “With profound sadness, we write to share the heartbreaking news that 9th grader Benjamin Ellis died at his home this morning. We know that you join us in sorrow and love for Ben’s family as they struggle to cope with this unimaginable loss. Ben has been with us at Harvard-Westlake since 7th grade, and he was adored by a wide array of teachers and friends who will remember him always for his joyful spirit and inherent goodness.”
Ellis’s funeral and burial took place at Mount Sinai Memorial Park on Sunday, October 20. The Ellis family will participate in the Jewish mourning ritual of sitting shiva today through Friday, Oct. 25 at the Ellis family home. If you would like to attend shiva, contact Coordinator of Jewish Life and Community Engagement Sarah Rapaport.
If your family would like to help provide meals for the Ellis family, a Meal Train has been organized.
In a letter to students, Head of Middle School Jon Wimbish offered the following reminders on Friday.
- There are many resources available to you, so please connect with deans, counselors, learning support coaches, and other trusted adults as you need them. We are all at the ready to help. I have also listed some crisis hotlines below.
- Bing 123 will remain open this week to be a welcome place for you to gather with each other and trusted adults.
- If you know of people who are struggling, please let an adult know so we can reach out to help them.
- While some of you will be able to move forward with your academic and extracurricular obligations, some of you will not. Either approach is understandable, and I have asked teachers to be accommodating of each student’s needs. If you are struggling with how to handle a particular situation, please talk to your dean, counselor, or come to me directly.
- Know that the adults are also struggling, so please give us some grace if we don’t handle every interaction perfectly. Trying to find the right words or the right approach to meet the need we are sensing can be an impossible task.
What to Do if Someone Needs Help
- Never leave the person alone. Stay with them until they can get help.
- Remove anything that could be dangerous, like sharp objects, alcohol, drugs, or weapons.
- Call for help by reaching out to the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- If things feel really serious, take the person to the emergency room or get help from a doctor or counselor.
Remember, taking action can save a life, and it’s always okay to ask for help. SOURCE
Crisis Hotlines
There are helplines where you can speak with trained professionals who can provide immediate support and guidance. Here are a few helpline numbers you can save:
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call 988 or text 988 (available 24/7)
Teen Line: call 800-852-8336 or text TEEN to 839863 (available from 6pm-10pm PST)
Trevor Project (for LGBTQ+ Youth): Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 (available 24/7).
