Suicide Prevention Week - Part 5.

(This week, Sept. 10-16th, is National Suicide Prevention Week. Because this is something I know way too much about now, I'd like to share a small part of Caleb's story every day this week, hoping that it will resonate with someone else. If it does - immediately text or call a parent, a teacher, a friend, a pastor, and just say the words, "I really need help." Please, don't be scared to use those words.)

It has been a busy few evenings; sorry that I'm delayed with my posts! But today, I want to take a more professional angle to sharing.

I recently wrote an email to an administrator in our school district who had asked me, back in February, to share with him if Sean or I ever had any suggestions to prevent another suicide among our teens or assist teens who are struggling. I wrote him with some suggestions, but I also researched some statistics. I shared these with him to show how common these feelings are and the importance of not looking at Caleb (or the other losses our district and others have had the past few years) as "one time" events each time they occur. These are the statistics I shared:

- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college age youth and ages 12-18.

- Among students grades 9-12 in the U.S during 2013-14: 17% state they seriously considered attempting suicide, 13% made a plan on how to attempt suicide, 8% attempted suicide one or more times - in the past 12 months. 

- 90% of suicide victims suffer from mental illness, and suffering from depression can make a teenager as much as 12 times more likely to attempt suicide.

- Anxiety disorders affect one in eight children. These children are more at risk to perform poorly in school, miss out on important social experiences, and engage in substance abuse.

In 2015, 12.5% of the US population of age 12-17 had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.

- Less than 33% of teens with depression get help, yet 80% of teens with depression can be successfully treated.

                                                                                                     

I share these statistics now for two reasons. One - If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or thoughts of suicide, you are not alone! You are not weird and nothing is wrong with you. This is, unfortunately, very common. But pay attention to that last statistic in particular. Only 33% seek out help but 80% can be successfully treated. (And I tend to believe that 80% number is too low.) Do not be scared to ask for help or talk to someone about what you are feeling because you are scared of what they will think of you. If you find the right adult (a teacher, pastor, or guidance counselor in particular), chances are that you will not tell them something that they haven't heard before. They will not be shocked or think less of you. They will actually think more highly of you because you were brave enough to stand up and seek help.

Secondly, we adults - parents, school teachers, administrators, and church leaders - need to do more! Look at the reality of what is going on out there. These kids are struggling and they need us! They will try to smile and fool us, but it is up to us to do the hard work and ask deeper questions and try to see into their hearts.

Think of the progress we can make if we break the stereotype of teen depression and anxiety and the stereotype of suicide, and we realize how not to be afraid to be honest and ask for help and we realize how not to be timid and reach out in order to help when we suspect a need in someone else! Be brave!