Content warning: This article discusses suicide which may be distressing for some readers. If you need support, please see the resources at the end of this article.
The heartbreak of losing a child is something no parent should ever have to endure.
On a sombre Monday morning at Mary Immaculate Church in Waverley, Sydney, the mother and a congregation of mourners gathered to say their final goodbyes to a boy whose life, though tragically short, touched so many.
For Australian actress Clare McCann, that unimaginable pain became her reality when her beloved 13-year-old son, Atreyu, died by suicide last month.
The service was a poignant celebration of Atreyu’s vibrant spirit. Videos played across the church, showing him leaping on trampolines, riding horses, balancing on skateboards, and gently plucking the strings of his violin.
There were moments of him cuddling his favourite animals and, most heartbreakingly, sharing tender moments with his mum—whispering ‘I love you’, singing her songs, and beaming with pride at her side on red carpets.
These memories, stitched together, painted a picture of a boy full of life, curiosity, and love.
Clare, standing before her son’s coffin adorned with sunflowers, spoke with raw honesty and love. She shared how Atreyu, named after the hero from The NeverEnding Story, was her ‘best friend’ and the light of her life.
He was a boy who looked forward to the future, especially the adventure of starting high school. But that excitement was cruelly extinguished by the actions of bullies.
‘Upon starting high school he was singled out and bullied by some kids who were jealous of him,’ Clare told the congregation, her voice trembling. ‘They tried to dim his light.’
The bullying left Atreyu withdrawn and moody, eventually refusing to return to school. Despite Clare’s desperate efforts to help her son heal, the pain proved too much for him to bear.
On May 23, Clare found Atreyu in his bedroom, his life tragically cut short. In her eulogy, she apologised through tears: ‘I’m sorry if I failed you. I’m sorry if I loved you too much and made you too gentle.’
Her words echoed the guilt and helplessness that so many parents feel in the wake of such loss.
But Clare’s grief has also ignited a fierce determination. She has vowed to dedicate her life to fighting bullying, ensuring that Atreyu’s story is not forgotten.
‘Now the world knows his name, his story and his message,’ she declared. ‘Atreyu, you saved me from the nothingness, you brought my life indescribable joy when I had none. You were and will always be my best mate.’
The tragedy of Atreyu’s death is a stark reminder of the devastating impact bullying can have on young lives.
In Australia, suicide remains the leading cause of death among people aged 15-24, and bullying—both in person and online—continues to be a significant contributing factor.
The ripple effects of such loss are felt not just by families but by entire communities.
Clare’s promise to campaign against bullying is a call to action for all of us. It’s a reminder that we must do more to protect our children, to foster kindness and inclusion, and to ensure that no child feels so alone or hopeless.
Schools, parents, and communities must work together to create safe environments where every child can thrive.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please remember that help is available. Lifeline (13 11 14), Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) offer support and resources for those in need.
As Clare said in her final words to Atreyu: ‘I love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond.’ Her love for her son is boundless, and her mission to honour his memory is just beginning.
Have you or someone you love been affected by bullying? What more do you think can be done to support young people and their families? We invite you to share your thoughts, experiences, and messages of support in the comments below. Your voice could help someone else feel less alone.
Also read: ‘The system is under crisis’: Millions of Australians pay the price
An all too a softly softly approach taken to bullying, time and time you hear about complaints to schools and nothing appears to be done and often it is the bullied that has to leave and find another school. This calls for harsher tactics which of course won’t happen, take the verified bully in the gym and taser the little bastard, see how soon bullying stops! Won’t happen of course and deaths will continue, so be it.