Madison's radiant beauty shines through every photo on her Facebook and Instagram pages. My heart truly aches for this beautiful girl and the pain she must have been going through. Madison's passing reminds us that we never truly know what demons people are fighting on the inside. Madison's father, Jim Holleran, said his daughter expressed thoughts of suicide in December and had been seeing a therapist."My daughter's stress was self-induced, and although we had started her in therapy to address her issues, she hid the severity of those issues from everyone," he said. "We knew she needed help. She knew she needed help. She had lost confidence in academics, and she also lost confidence in her track abilities."
Madison was a successful track and soccer star, Ivy League student, and loved by many. Her sister described Madison's favorite activity to be "smiling".
Madison leaves behind her parents, 1 brother and 3 sisters. Her Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter pages have received an outpouring of grief and tributes to the young girl with so much ahead of her.I want to take this time to encourage anyone experiencing any self doubt the importance of talking to someone about it. We never truly know what someone else is going through, but it is times like these where it is important to encourage those going through tough times that things do get better.
In Madison's honor, a friend started a fundraiser to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Click here to donate to the personal campaign, Running for Madison, where you can also read the touching story of Madison's friends' memory.
If you are in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Rest in Peace, Madison.
xo, Cee
