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Coronado Loses Another Teen to Suicide

Editor's Note:
eCoronado.com contacted the CHP to confirm details of this incident, but are not able to release information regarding suicide cases. We have learned that the deceased is Bobby Mansueto and graduated from CHS in 2011. The deceased's father, Robert Mansueto, posted this on his Facebook page regarding the death of his son:

The counseling department at CHS has provided information regarding counseling for depression, suicidal thoughts and coping with this loss. The counseling department encourages everyone to get help and grieve in a positive way. Often suicide is not linked to depression but depression is an illness that can lead to suicide.

Suicide Prevention Resources Available:

-Any CHS Student can go to the counseling office at any time or call (619) 522-8911.
-National 24Hour Hotline: 1-800-273-talk
-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: www.afsp.org
-this organization was at CHS's suicide prevention week earlier this year
-the organization is made up of volunteers who have experienced a loss in their life
1-800-273-talk

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Coronado Loses Another Teen to Suicide by Maggie Hannegan

Yet another young person lost their life in our community yesterday. He died last weekend after jumping from the Coronado bridge. He was a life-long resident of our town. He joins over a dozen kids that my children grew up with who have died from suicide, drug overdoses, and accidents. It is tragic. These are your neighbors and your children's classmates. Our families, our schools and our community are failing these kids. How can we come together to stop this epidemic? I am no expert in psychology nor in raising children. I just pray that a town with as many resources as Coronado has could focus attention on something so very critical to our times.

My children at 21 and 23 have had more friends who have died than I do at 50. This issue seems to be swept under the town's rug because it doesn't jibe with the picture of perfection our civic leaders want painted of Coronado. There are no articles in the paper focusing on teen depression, suicide, drug use. When will the Coronado community come together to work to solve this horrific problem--far more important than all the hoopla over the tunnel, the traffic or the latest cause of the day the "Villagers" are up in arms over. SAFE hasn't worked. The police force hasn't helped. We, the people, need to wake up.

There is something terrible going on in paradise.

Tags: community, people

6 members like this

Comment by Elizabeth Peterson on June 1, 2012 at 10:44pm: So very sorry to hear this...I love Coronado, and lived there for years. It seems that these kids have it all, living in paradise. At their age it seems like they have everything to look forward to. I'm just confused, and so very sorry for the parents...

Comment by Robin Summitt Hunt on June 2, 2012 at 12:29am: As a mother of a son who also committed suicide, my deepest sympathies are with the Mansueto family..and friends.....I would like to reach out my hand and heart to help in any way to help get ya'll through this...only by my own experience...and possible ways to see through this time....

Comment by Sharon French on June 2, 2012 at 2:32pm: As a parent of the Class of 2011 and a friend of both Bobby and Casey Hart, another 2011 graduate we lost in October 2011, I add my grief to that of all of Coronado. These boys were two of my son’s best friends in a place where they all grew up and share hundreds of friends.

I knew both Bobby and Casey well; both of them since early elementary school at Village. Both of them were gifted in different ways and both taught me some lessons along the way. I will never forget either one of them; their beautiful smiles and their effect on the friends that still carry them along everywhere.

Bobby Mansueto was not a victim of bullying. He was well-loved and is sorely missed by hundreds if not thousands of people. Bobby was a sports hero from about the age of six; his photo always in the Eagle. He could take care of himself and was a trusted friend to many. He was looked up to and admired and we all thought he was doing fine. All of us are shocked and devastated and not ready for this early, tragic loss.

At Casey’s funeral last November I saw a full house with standing room only at the Baptist Church on C Avenue. The pastor made a point to tell us that none of their parishioners were in attendance because of the huge turnout – they had given Casey’s family the church. Adults and children were seated first and then the teens were called in from outside – Casey’s friends. Watching a hundred kids I knew fill in the back and side aisles to the front of that church is a moment that is burned on my brain.

Half of the huge crowd were teenagers; most without their parents in attendance. I don’t know how you let your teen go to a funeral alone, but I guess there were not that many of us who thought we needed to be there.

Most adults who were there left after the service. There were only a few of us at Casey’s reception aside from family and it was a blessing because the majority of the kids were there. First, to have a moment to reflect on the enormity of the event, and especially to share the support and comfort the kids showed to each other and to those of us adults who were there. These were our same wonderful talented, beautiful precious children – only mourning alone without parents, there for each other.

These kids love each other but they need adults as well. Can you imagine if this had happened at your high school? Can you imagine if you had grown up with all these same kids your whole life and then to have this happen twice within twelve months of graduation? Some of you were lucky enough to go to school here, so it is not a big jump to imagine. It is the strength of Coronado that we are all so close, but also makes the loss so, so much harder to bear – when everyone knew them well.

The kids I’ve seen in the last few days are at some point in the spectrum between horribly distraught to shocked to just can’t believe this has happened again – dependent on how close they were to one or both boys. The kids a few grades in each direction are also just as hurt. You can help by attending Bobby’s service and reaching out to these children of ours. You don’t have to do anything. You can just be there.

Personally, I have not been able to function at my best since Wednesday morning when I found out about Bobby. As the other parent posted, never did I think the funerals of my 50’s would be related to my kids and not my parents.

My accounting training did not prepare me for the conversations I have had since October with some of these kids. I’m just glad to be there for them as best as I can and I’m really grateful they are there for me. They are so young and beautiful and so full of worry. Like Mayor Tanaka, I try to give the message that these big problems will become small as time passes and that they are not worth your life.

I think over and over, “Oh My God – Bobby! How can this be you?” But then I think that if it was any one of these kids that I love so much, I would have the same horrid unanswered question.

Nothing will bring back the young people we have lost too soon. God bless us all and RIP Bobby, Casey, and the others I didn’t get the privilege to meet.

Comment by Mayor Casey Tanaka on June 2, 2012 at 3:22pm: So much insight and grace. Thank you.

Comment by DENISE "ADAMS" SHIRLEY on June 3, 2012 at 11:42pm: Please people.....we lost a young man. A young man from Coronado. This is not the time to ask "why"? Please give the family some time to grieve without opening up about whether the schools, the town or bullying are to blame. I didn't know Bobby, but I went to school with his father.....my heart goes out to Bob Mansueto, his wife and family. May they find the comfort and support that they need to get through this very difficult time. May the Lord wrap his loving arms around Bobby always! And may the Coronado community let this family know that we do care!

Comment by Elizabeth Peterson on June 4, 2012 at 2:29am: Denise, please don't lecture or criticize the people who want to speak their condolances...they are only human, and it is only human to ask why. People mean no harm when they pose this question. There are many compassionate and loving people who just want to help understand. Let them grieve whichever way they can. Don't be offended, be everyone's friend.

Comment by Lynne Harpst Koen on June 4, 2012 at 8:41am: Sharon French said it all. Excellent commentary. RIP to all God's Sons and Daughters who have been called to Heaven early. Prayers for strength go to the Survivors (family and friends) of these precious young people. Sincere condolences from this heavy hearted local.

Comment by Lisa Strong on June 4, 2012 at 10:02am: Even though I do not know them, I am heart broken for Bobby and his family. Praying for God to bless them in the coming days/months/years with peace, joy, love and hope. As I was reading the posts, the song "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand" came to mind. Parents please don't look the other way when you child or their friend is having difficulty with drugs, alcohol, peer pressure, school pressure, family issues. Please talk to your children daily about treating others with respect and compassion. Let's work together to make Coronado the paradise we all seem to think it is.

Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

(Just try)
Take a little time out of your busy day
To give encouragement
To someone who's lost the way
Just try)
Or would I be talking to a stone
If I asked you
To share a problem that's not your own
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you

Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

(Just try)
If you see an old friend on the street
And he's down
Remember his shoes could fit your feet
(Just try)
Try a little kindness you'll see
It's something that comes very naturally
We can change things if we start giving

Why don't you
Reach out and touch
Why don't you (Why don't you)
Reach out and touch somebody's hand

Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can

Comment by Katie's Mom Mary Grace on June 4, 2012 at 11:08am: I think when a tragic event as this is takes place, it is human nature to ask why. It is human nature to point fingers and some feel the need to blame someone. This kind of behavior will not help anyone. Most of the time there are no answers to either of these questions.

     The loss of a loved one to suicide is the most devistating, heart ache that I have ever felt in my life. I have one thing to say to anyone contemplating suicide. Please don't take your life. You are loved even by people that don't know you! I have said this before and will say it again. Suicide is a PERMANENT solution to a temporary problem. As big as the problem is, your life is more important. At the time as you sit in your sorry and pain. I know that pain. I know that big dark hole of deppression. PLEASE reach out for help because there is ALWAYS help and there is always hope.

    My heart and many prayers go out to the Mansueto family and all of Bobby's friends. The hurt never really leaves you but in time, the pain will become less. Don't be afraid to grieve. We all need to hold this family and Bobby's friends in this time of need.

     The emotions you will go through are sometimes very hard to handle. Being mad or disapointed in Bobby is a natural emotion. This too shall pass. Hold on to all the good times and keep Bobby's memory close to your hearts. And it's o.k. to laugh at all of the fun times you all shared together.

    I will offer one piece of information that helped me through this tragic time. Survivor's of Suicide is a group of people that know how you feel and what you are going through. They are friends and families that have lost someone to suicide. Look them up on line or go to one of their meetings. They helped save my life, that's for sure. There are a few other groups out there also like Yellow Ribbon. Being in the presents of other people going through the same grief you are will give you some understanding and comfort. Hugs and prayers to the Mansueto family and friends.   Mary Grace

Comment by Jenni Lowery Ricketts on June 4, 2012 at 11:57am: God bless this young man, and the family left with such grief. I am only a neighbor, and a mother, but my heart is ripped open in empathy for their loss. I lost my best friend to suicide as well. Anyone out there who is contemplating this - and thinking no one cares (or you don't care if they do) - please know this: You will be leaving others in pain every day for the rest of their lives. Hold on, consider that, and reach out.

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