Jackson County family mourns child lost to suicide, hopes more will be aware of mental health issues

JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) – A Jackson County family is still trying to understand how suicide came to haunt them.

Fourteen-year-old Sawyer Magee was a star athlete who made everyone smile.

Not even a month ago, he took his own life.

Sawyer could plow through defenders on a football field, he could throw a baseball in high heat, and he could swish a basketball with ease.

“He had it,” said his basketball coach, Gerald Edmonson. “Sawyer had this drive to want to be good at everything he did.”

Besides, he knew how to make people happy.

His parents are speaking out during Mental Health Awareness Month in hopes of helping others be more mindful.

“He loved making you laugh,” said his mother, Aleen Magee. “He just wanted to please everyone and make everyone around him laugh.”

He showed no indication to anyone that anything was terribly wrong.

“I think the message that needs to be known is that some kids don’t see anything at all…” Edmonson said. “…and Sawyer was one of those he would never meet.”

Aleen and her husband, Robert Magee, knew there were mental health issues early on.

Sawyer was diagnosed in fifth grade with depression and anxiety and was taking medication.

“He would get very angry at things and he didn’t know what he was angry about,” Robert said.

They never imagined him taking his own life on April 11.

“I don’t know if it was an impulse,” Robert said. “Because on the Monday that happened, he said he had the best day of his life.”

Robert, a history teacher and high school nurse, tried to revive him, but could not.

“I held him for the first time in his life, and the last time in his life,” he said.

Sawyer’s sister, Celia, said that he was her best friend.

“Every day I feel like I can’t survive the day I’m going through,” she said. “I feel like I can’t push anymore. And then, somehow I do.”

And even as the Magee family struggles to get back on their feet, they look to other families to make sure they know the basics of family: Talk to your kids constantly.

“And let them know that it’s okay to not be okay,” Aleen said. “I’ve heard that a lot lately: It’s okay to not be okay, but they need to get help.”

Robert added: “Make sure you love your kids and make sure they know you love them.”

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