Teen suicide. It害羞草研究所檚 a sensitive subject, one that害羞草研究所檚 whispered about in parking lots and hallways of schools, but rarely addressed openly.
People speculate, shake their heads in sadness and helplessness 害羞草研究所� they don害羞草研究所檛 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 don害羞草研究所檛 know the answers, but maybe someone could let me know because according to the B.C. Coroner害羞草研究所檚 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 害羞草研究所� the need for privacy and respect for the family 害羞草研究所� but a week goes by, then two, and the talk begins to fade. Then before you know it, everyone害羞草研究所檚 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. There害羞草研究所檚 the untold story of a young person that害羞草研究所檚 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 there害羞草研究所檚 no requirement that the parents or caregiver inform the school. That害羞草研究所檚 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 害羞草研究所渁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.害羞草研究所�
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 there害羞草研究所檚 a suicide of a student in the district, it害羞草研究所檚 kept very quiet and most parents know nothing until much later, if at all. The public knows even less. Hyer assures me though that 害羞草研究所淒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.害羞草研究所�
I害羞草研究所檓 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 you害羞草研究所檙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 they害羞草研究所檝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 it害羞草研究所檚 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 they害羞草研究所檙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 there害羞草研究所檚 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 害羞草研究所渢alk害羞草研究所� 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 害羞草研究所� .
Faye Arcand is a freelance writer living in the South Okanagan. She can be reached at faye.arcand@icloud.com or .
