CT Doctors and School Officials Very Concerned About Recent Teen Suicides

Deaths by suicide in Connecticut during the first two months of 2019 have raised serious concerns.

According to an article on healthnewshub.org, high profile suicide deaths in Chesire, Stratford, and Danbury among young adults are worrying parents, friends, and school officials. They are asking themselves, why? What makes adolescents and young adults think about taking their lives?

The CDC has released some alarming statistics about death by suicide in Connecticut. With 10 to 14-year-olds, suicide is among one of the top 10 causes of death. In the 15 to 24-year-old age group, suicide is the number two cause of death, and in the 25 to 34-year-old age bracket, death by suicide is also the number two cause of death.

Around 20 years ago, a good friend of my wife and I was experiencing horrible bouts of depression and anxiety. We constantly explained that she was loved by so many friends and family members. This is what she told me so many years ago:

Ethan, I know that you and Mindy love me and I do appreciate that love, but it doesn't have any impact on how I feel or my ideations about killing myself. I feel like I'm constantly drowning in a sea of hopelessness and despair. Unfortunately there is nothing you can say or do that will help.

 

Thank God she is still with us today because of continuous weekly therapy and the right medications. How can you tell if a young friend or family member is thinking about suicide? Dr. Laura Sanders from the Hartford Hospital's Institute of Living tells us:

What you're looking for are changes in speech, mood, or behavior. They might say the world would be better off without them or they lose interest in activities they enjoyed. They may isolate themselves while researching online about how to kill themselves.

If you have a friend or family member who is having an immediate mental health crisis with suicidal ideation, punch 9-1-1 into your cell phone or visit a hospital ER immediately. Other support services include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 and the Crisis Text Line. Text the word "HELP" to 741741.