Trans teen school friends die by suicide just 10 months apart
Ash He and Summer Devi Mehta (GoFundMe | The Trevor Project)
Two transgender teenagers who were close friends at the same California high school have died by suicide less than a year apart.
Summer Devi Mehta, 17, died on 3 February, 10 months after her classmate Ash He, 15. Both attended Palo Alto High School in the Bay Area.
Mehta, a junior, left a note expressing hope that her death would raise awareness of the suicide crisis affecting the trans community.
In a tribute and fundraising page published by The Trevor Project, her family said: “The world was a scary place for her, as a transgender, autistic woman. It should not have been. It should have seen her for the wonderful, radiant, and deeply empathetic person she was.
“Nothing can make up for Summer’s death, but we hope that it at least can be used as a catalyst to make the world a kinder place, and to prevent anyone else from dying in this way.”
A GoFundMe for Ash He said: “Ash had a deep passion for art and theatre, using their immense talent to express themselves and bring people together.”
It went on: “Ash’s kindness, creativity, and spirit touched so many lives.”
If you’ve been affected by this story, you can contact The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678 in the U.S. Suicide is preventable. Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org), or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255.
