GAHANNA -- As dusk fell at Gahanna’s Friendship Park, more than 100 students and staff members gathered to honor Gahanna Lincoln High School teacher Andrew Hoying.
“He was just a great guy,” Gahanna parent Anita Bosaw said.
“Very personable, all of the kids loved him and he did a lot for this school.”
The Gahanna-Jefferson school district notified students and staff of Hoying’s death Friday. The district will also have mental health counselors available.
An investigation by the Columbus Division of Police concluded Hoying died by suicide.
“It’s been really tough,” Bosaw said.
“It’s a subject you have to deal with at this age, I mean it’s a very real problem.”
Hoying taught personal finance and business classes at Lincoln High School. He previously taught at the high school level in the South-Western City Schools.
If you or a loved one is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Be aware of possible warning signs of suicide:
- Talking about suicide, death, dying, or the afterlife.
- Feeling sad, bored, hopeless, or depressed.
- Making verbal threats such as, “You’d be better off without me,” “I won’t be a problem for you much longer,” or “Maybe I won’t be around.”
- Change in personality, such as becoming suddenly cheerful after a period of depression.
- Showing little interest in the future.
- Making major changes in the looks or not taking care of him/herself (if usually neat, might look sloppy).
- Acting in rash, hostile ways; often expressing rage.
- Giving or throwing away favorite belongings.