Teen suicide. Itsa国际传媒檚 a sensitive subject, one thatsa国际传媒檚 whispered about in parking lots and hallways of schools, but rarely addressed openly.
People speculate, shake their heads in sadness and helplessness sa国际传媒� they donsa国际传媒檛 know what to do. Is there protocol for visiting a family whose child committed suicide? Is it OK to ask what happened? What do you say to the parent or sibling? I donsa国际传媒檛 know the answers, but maybe someone could let me know because according to the B.C. Coronersa国际传媒檚 report, in 2016, there were 29 suicides province-wide of children aged 10-19 (inclusive). This is a very frightening statistic and should be a wake-up call for everyone.
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And so it goes. No one says a word. One side of me really gets that sa国际传媒� the need for privacy and respect for the family sa国际传媒� but a week goes by, then two, and the talk begins to fade. Then before you know it, everyonesa国际传媒檚 gone on with their busy lives and the loss of a life is forgotten. A tragic death is left up to speculation and gossip as the shame and stigma of mental illness is shoved back into the closet. We need to talk about it because while many squirm and stutter when it comes to talking about mental illness and teen suicide, the truth is that our young people are suffering and some are losing the battle. Theresa国际传媒檚 the untold story of a young person thatsa国际传媒檚 been lost. This breaks my heart. Why should mental illness and/or suicide define the entire life of a young person?
Did you know that a student can attempt suicide on a Friday, be hospitalized and treated over the weekend, return to school on Monday, and theresa国际传媒檚 no requirement that the parents or caregiver inform the school. Thatsa国际传媒檚 right. Again, while I understand and respect the need for privacy, this blew me away when I heard it because the school can be such a valuable resource for the student and family.
Wendy Hyer, the Superintendent of School District 67, confirmed that parents sa国际传媒渁re not obligated to inform schools regarding a suicide attempt. (But) As a district, we have encouraged the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health to establish a protocol to share information when student safety is at risk, however, there is no protocol in place at this time.sa国际传媒�
I hope this protocol comes into being because it does take a village to raise a child. Having more eyes and ears could potentially save a life. I know many parents do talk to the principal but the shame, embarrassment and lingering taboo of suicide (and suicide attempts) can still keep some families feeling the need to stay hidden or isolated. If theresa国际传媒檚 a suicide of a student in the district, itsa国际传媒檚 kept very quiet and most parents know nothing until much later, if at all. The public knows even less. Hyer assures me though that sa国际传媒淒istrict No. 67 has a trained Crisis Response Team as does every district in the province to provide support to a school community in the aftermath of any student or staff death.sa国际传媒�
Isa国际传媒檓 not an expert in mental health, but I do know that youth suicide is happening in our community. I also know that if you break an arm, you go the hospital and if yousa国际传媒檙e diabetic, you take insulin everyday to save your life. Until we reach the same acceptance of seeking help with mental health issues, the stigma will continue. Depression and anxiety are not always talked about openly and kids may try and deal with it themselves as theysa国际传媒檝e been told to suck it up and get on with life. Things like substance abuse, cutting, and self harm can occur without anyone being any the wiser, but talking helps. It really does.
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Being a kid these days is really difficult. In fact, I think itsa国际传媒檚 much harder than it was in my day. The pressures, both external and internal, that are on students and young people are unbelievable and overwhelming. The constant pressure to be better, to be more, to be something theysa国际传媒檙e not ready for. The internet and social media is a double-edged sword and definitely plays on the minds of our youth. The conversation has started but theresa国际传媒檚 still a long way to go.
The Kids Help Line is now available by text. This is so awesome. It can be difficult to put your feelings into words, let alone actually saying them out loud, but to text and connect is an opportunity for young people to sa国际传媒渢alksa国际传媒� to someone and hopefully get some help.
Need help now? Counsellors are available 24/7 at Kids Help Line 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868. Check out the website too sa国际传媒� .
Faye Arcand is a freelance writer living in the South Okanagan. She can be reached at faye.arcand@icloud.com or .
