Michael Camilleri Scholarship Fund

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The death of this popular and talented Walled Lake Western High School student sent shock waves throughout the school district in November 2012.

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Michael Camilleri, a senior at the school, captain of the soccer team and 2012 homecoming king, died as a result of suicide following struggles with depression.

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"Honestly, he was exactly what you want in a kid," said Walled Lake Western baseball coach Mike Larges. "He smiled every day," Larges said. "He was a 'Yes sir,' 'No sir,' kind of kid. His passing affected a lot more than just the students.”

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Camilleri, 17, held a 4.3 grade point average and was deciding between the University of Michigan and Stanford for college. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the school's Positive Peer Influence group and also was a captain of the baseball team.

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Depression is a sickness, like cancer, that some people are susceptible to. Some people never show symptoms until something horrible in their life happens to make it come out. Others have a seemingly “perfect” life, yet they can’t help but feel depressed.

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Depression does not hold a stereotype. It does not only affect one kind of person, but could affect anyone. It is not something a person chooses or something that can be explained.

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Common Ground Suicide Prevention Specialist Amelia Lehto said, “Depression is one of the more recognizable and common mental health issues people face today. It does not discriminate based on age, race, sex or religious affiliation and it’s often an incredibly isolating mental health issue that people face because of the stigma that surrounds it today.”

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If someone is telling you they are experiencing depression or another mental illness, never ever think, “Well he/she is popular and has friends. It can’t possibly be depression.”

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Instead, believe them. And get help.

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Each person who loses a life to suicide is one too many.