Schemmel posted a video titled “My Story” on YouTube on Tuesday detailing these tragic events, several of which took place in his hometown of Rockford, Mich., including a fatal car accident and multiple suicides.

Schemmel said his message of hope resonated with more viewers than he ever imagined. As of Thursday, the video had more than 200,000 views and 9,000 likes on YouTube.

“I think it’s really interesting how much it has blown up, and I’m really glad that it’s getting out to a lot of people,” Schemmel said. “I’m really glad that my message is being taken seriously, and it’s helping a lot of people.”

In his video, Schemmel reaches out to his viewers with the phrase “Everybody love everybody,” or ELE. He reiterates his message by offering to talk to anyone who needs a friend and reminding viewers there are people who love them.

Even though the video was intended for his community and those affected by the tragedies, Schemmel said he has received messages from people throughout the U.S. thanking him for the video. Since he posted it, Schemmel said he has received about 1,300 friend requests on Facebook and more than 600 messages from as far away as Germany and Brazil.

“It’s helping me realize that the goal that I set is definitely being accomplished,” he said. “It’s helping people not only all across the country but even in other countries across the world. It really reassures me and makes me feel better.”

In Schemmel’s video, in which he uses notecards to tell his story, he begins by talking about how his two grandfathers, whom he was very close to, died and then discusses friends who have died or nearly died, whether by accident or intentionally.

The video is inspired in part by one of Schemmel’s best friends from high school, Stephen May, who died in 2010 and is mentioned in the video.

Schemmel and kineseology sophomore Matt Karamol, who is from Rockford, Mich., and also was one of May’s best friends, both said May was known as someone who was kind to everyone. It was May who introduced their group of friends to the phrase that Schemmel repeats throughout his video, “Everybody love everybody.”

Schemmel mentions May, as well as a close friend who died in a car accident, another friend who almost committed suicide, someone he graduated with who shot and killed himself and an eighth grade girl from his hometown who committed suicide, all within the last two years.

“(Suicide is) happening all over,” he said. “Kids of all ages, teachers of all ages, this group and that group — it’s just really difficult to see it happen.”

In the midst of all the devastation he was facing, Schemmel said he became depressed. But he managed to keep his head high and continue on with his life.

Taking into consideration all the tragedies of his community, Schemmel decided to create his video to encourage others to carry on as well.

“I always just smile at people,” he said. “I do whatever I can.”

Mechanical engineering junior Mariah Krebs, who found the video posted on several of her friends’ Facebook walls, said it is inspirational videos such as Schemmel’s that people need to see, especially around stressful times, such as during final exams.

“I’ve definitely been stressing over finals,” she said. “I’m (studying) engineering, so that’s pretty tough, and it just kind of showed me that life goes on and (finals are) not the biggest thing.”

Although the video is about one community’s misfortunes, the message ultimately is about widespread hope.

“The video is unbelievable,” Karamol said. “It’s one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever seen.”

Karamol said the video is a great tribute to his friend May’s life and his message of the importance of unconditional love.

“(May’s death) was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go though in my life,” he said. “It’s good to see now that his memory is affecting so many people, and I know he is watching over all of us. I can see how proud he is.”