WITH WHAT WE KNOW, JOHN. MARISSA. I’VE TALKED TO THE TEEN’S FAMILY ALL DAY. THEY SAY THIS TRAGEDY HAPPENED JUST EIGHT DAYS AFTER THEY CELEBRATED HIS BIRTHDAY. HIS AUNT TELLS US THAT THIS IS HIM HERE. JOSIAH MICHAEL DWINELL, SHE SAYS HE WAS JUST 13 YEARS OLD WHEN HE DIED BY SUICIDE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. SHE SAYS IT’S, QUOTE, TRULY HEARTBREAKING AND THAT HE WAS AN AMAZING YOUNG MAN WHO WAS LOVED FULLY. IN A PRESS RELEASE THAT WE GOT JUST ABOUT AN HOUR AGO, THE TOWN OF ALSTEAD SAID MULTIPLE AGENCIES RESPONDED YESTERDAY AND THEY’RE OFFERING SUPPORT TO THEM IF NEEDED. I’M IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, HELPS THOSE STRUGGLING WITH AN IMPACTED BY MENTAL ILLNESS. AND WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT FAMILIES AND FRIENDS CAN LOOK OUT FOR IN YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE JOSIAH. IN CASES WHERE SOMEONE FEELS UNSURE ABOUT A YOUNG PERSON’S MENTAL HEALTH, THEY SAY IT’S ALWAYS BETTER TO JUST ASK. GRIEF IS A PART OF LIFE AND IT’S HARD AND IT’S PAINFUL, BUT THAT WE ALL. WE. THAT’S WHY WE LOOK TO EACH OTHER FOR SUPPORT. AND THAT’S WHAT THE TRUSTED ADULTS IN A CHILD’S LIFE ARE THERE FOR, IS TO HELP SUPPORT THEM. AND AS THEY LEARN HOW TO NAVIGATE THESE REALLY HARD EMOTIONS LIKE GRIEF. OF COURSE, WE’LL INCLUDE RESOURCES ONLINE WITH THIS STORY. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, THAT INCLUDES THE 988 HOTLINE. YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL OR TEXT.
Mental health professionals offer advice after 13-year-old boy in Alstead dies by suicide
Updated: 5:24 PM EDT Mar 13, 2026
A 13-year-old boy died Thursday in Alstead by suicide, his family told News 9.The aunt of Josiah Michael Dwinell said the boy died eight days after his birthday.She said the boy’s death was “truly heartbreaking,” calling him an amazing young man who was loved fully.In a news release, the town of Alstead said multiple agencies responded Thursday, and it’s offering support to them if needed.The National Alliance on Mental Illness-New Hampshire provides support for those struggling with and affected by mental illness. Executive director Susan Stearns said families and friends of young people should watch for signs of mental health struggles.”Grief is a part of life, and it’s hard and it’s painful, but that’s why we look to each other for support, and that’s what the trusted adults in a child’s life are there for, is to help support them as they learn how to navigate these really hard emotions like grief,” she said.Crisis resourcesIf you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, call or text 988 for 24/7 help.If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.Know the warning signs and risk factors of suicideIn cases where someone feels unsure about a young person’s mental health, Stearns said it’s always better to ask.”You want to be having conversations, but you don’t want to assume that a middle schooler, for example, has more knowledge than they do, so you want to be finding out what it is they know, what it is they’re thinking about, and being a calm presence acknowledging grief,” she said.Stearns said it’s OK to be direct.”If you are concerned that someone might be considering suicide, then you want to ask that directly,” she said. “It’s a myth that you’re going to put an idea into someone’s head, and the reality is that is the best way to engage someone in that conversation.”If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can call the crisis number 988 for help any time of day or night.How to helpThe 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has put together a strategy to guide people who know someone who is in crisis:Ask: Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.Be there: Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.Keep them safe: A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline.Help them stay connected: Studies indicate that helping someone at risk creates a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.Follow up: Studies have also shown that brief, low-cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.
ALSTEAD, N.H. —
A 13-year-old boy died Thursday in Alstead by suicide, his family told News 9.
The aunt of Josiah Michael Dwinell said the boy died eight days after his birthday.
She said the boy’s death was “truly heartbreaking,” calling him an amazing young man who was loved fully.
In a news release, the town of Alstead said multiple agencies responded Thursday, and it’s offering support to them if needed.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness-New Hampshire provides support for those struggling with and affected by mental illness. Executive director Susan Stearns said families and friends of young people should watch for signs of mental health struggles.
“Grief is a part of life, and it’s hard and it’s painful, but that’s why we look to each other for support, and that’s what the trusted adults in a child’s life are there for, is to help support them as they learn how to navigate these really hard emotions like grief,” she said.
Crisis resources
In cases where someone feels unsure about a young person’s mental health, Stearns said it’s always better to ask.
“You want to be having conversations, but you don’t want to assume that a middle schooler, for example, has more knowledge than they do, so you want to be finding out what it is they know, what it is they’re thinking about, and being a calm presence acknowledging grief,” she said.
Stearns said it’s OK to be direct.
“If you are concerned that someone might be considering suicide, then you want to ask that directly,” she said. “It’s a myth that you’re going to put an idea into someone’s head, and the reality is that is the best way to engage someone in that conversation.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, you can call the crisis number 988 for help any time of day or night.
How to help
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has put together a strategy to guide people who know someone who is in crisis:
Ask: Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.Be there: Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment.Keep them safe: A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline.Help them stay connected: Studies indicate that helping someone at risk creates a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help them take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.Follow up: Studies have also shown that brief, low-cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.