Bensalem Girl Honored For Helping Prevent Classmate's Suicide

BENSALEM, PA — A 13-year-old Bensalem girl is being honored for her quick actions that may have saved the life of a classmate who had attempted suicide.

Caitlin Groves, a student at Snyder Middle School, received a commendation from law enforcement officials at this week's meeting of the Bensalem Township Council.

According to Director of Public Safety Fred Harran, Caitlin contacted Bensalem Police on Jan. 2 because she was concerned a classmate was contemplating suicide. She said she'd received a message from that classmate, but didn't know the classmate's address or how to track her down.

An officer responded to Caitlin's home and, together, they were able to work out where the girl lives. The officer went to that address and found that the girl, in fact, had attempted suicide by taking pills.

She was taken to the hospital, where she received medical and psychiatric care.

"There's no doubt in my mind that, if it wasn't for Caitlin taking action, it would have been a whole different outcome," Harran said at Monday's meeting. "A young lady now is alive and getting treatment and getting help and hopefully will grow up to be a good citizen. But it's only because of this young lady here."

For her part, Caitlin said training she'd gotten at school helped her respond in a tough situation.

"This whole thing that happened was very nerve-wracking for me, not knowing what to do in the situation," she said. "But we've recently had people come into school teaching us about suicide prevention ... so I had to think quick or something bad could have happened."

Harran said her response is exactly what law enforcement officials hope for in such situations.

"With everything that's going on in the world — with terrorism, with drugs, with hate — we always ask people, if you see something, say something ...," Harran said. "This young lady really took that see something-say something and made it reality."

Caitlin's commendation came in the same week Pennsylvania's Suicide Prevention Task Force issued its initial report. The report, based in part on a statewide listening tour, will be used to develop a comprehensive, long-term strategy of significantly reducing the number of suicides in Pennsylvania, state officials say.

"My administration is committed to developing a comprehensive suicide prevention plan that will save precious lives, support people in crisis, and help loved ones of attempt survivors and those we’ve lost," said Gov. Tom Wolf.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, you may call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK) or Bucks County Family Service at 215-355-6000.