If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at: 800-273-8255 (TALK)
SAN DIEGO (NEWS 8) – Hundreds of parents in Carmel Valley attended a meeting Wednesday night at Canyon Crest Academy to learn about powerful tools to prevent teen suicides after two student suicide deaths.
The San Dieguito Union High School District Superintendent invited all area schools to join the conversation with the San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council. “Tonight, we are here to talk about preventing suicide and giving people reasons to live and connecting to resources,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Haley.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is the third leading cause of death of 15 to 24 year-olds. Many of them, however, survive their suicide attempt.
“What we need is more people coming forward and saying, ‘yeah I thought about but I didn’t do it. Yeah, I have been there, but got through it.’ We have this fear that if we talk about suicide, it is going to happen. Every time we talk about it, it releases a pressure valve,” said Stan Collins a San Diego County Suicide Prevention Council specialist.
Collins said parents may not always have the answer, but parents can build a connection, be direct and go through the pain of suicide prevent together with children.
“It is so important it gets talked about here. We have had two suicides here and one attempt. This is all in one year. For us parents that is terrifying,” said Hortencia Mammen, a Canyon Crest Academy mother.
By law, California school districts must have suicide prevention policies.
Another suicide prevention presentation is scheduled for next Wednesday at La Costa Canyon High School at 5:45 p.m.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at: 800-273-8255 (TALK).