Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The following article contains the name and image of a person who has died.
The tragic death of 12-year-old Adiel Boyd, a Torres Strait Islander girl, has drawn widespread attention, with coverage in major international outlets including the New York Post and NDTV.
Adiel's passing in late December has brought the pressing issue of youth suicide among First Nations communities into the global spotlight.
In an effort to raise awareness, Adiel's family shared their grief in a public statement.
"No family should be dealing with such tragedies," they said.
"No parent should be burying their child, especially at such a young age."
Adiel, described as a bright and talented student, excelled academically and creatively.
She was learning multiple languages, playing several musical instruments, and using her time online to develop new skills.
Her family believes cyberbullying played a significant role in her death, with online interactions creating emotional distress she struggled to process.
"Adiel loved her friends dearly," they said.
"So, by feeling rejected and attacked in this space was something Adiel could not comprehend."
Youth suicide rates in Australia's First Nations communities are among the highest in the world.
In 2018, the suicide rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people was 24.1 per 100,000 persons, compared to 12.9 per 100,000 for non-Indigenous Australians, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Alarmingly, for Indigenous children and young people aged 5 to 17, suicide accounted for 40 per cent of all deaths in 2017.
Adiel's family have called for systemic changes in schools to effectively address bullying and cyberbullying.
"Policies and procedures on paper must be more than a tick-the-box," they said.
"They need to jump off the pages and be active in the school grounds."
Globally, cyberbullying is a growing concern, especially among younger demographics.
Studies indicate children and teenagers who experience bullying are at a higher risk of self-harm and suicide.
Experts say schools and communities must adopt proactive strategies to address bullying, provide counselling, and educate children about mental health and resilience.
Adiel's family also highlighted the role of colonisation in disrupting traditional Torres Strait Islander kinship systems, which historically offered strong communal support for raising children.
They have urged schools to adopt these principles and foster safe environments for all students.
"Life coping strategies must be taught in schools where the danger lurks," they said.
While this tragedy underscores the urgent need for action, it also highlights the strength of Adiel's family and community in advocating for change.
Their plea for compassion extends to how society responds to tragedies online.
"If you don't have anything nice to say, keep scrolling," they urged.
Adiel's story is a stark reminder of the importance of addressing systemic issues such as cyberbullying, ensuring access to mental health services, and fostering cultural understanding.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
13YARN 13 92 76
