Suicide Prevention …
It’s Everyone’s Business

Our community has been deeply impacted by multiple youth suicides in the last few years. For every death, there are family members and friends that are left grieving and trying to survive without a loved one.

A report from the National Institute of Health stated, “In 2009, suicide was the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15-24.” Unfortunately, the foothill communities have not been immune.

In the U.S., teen suicides between 1950-1990 quadrupled, but then started to decline in the early 2000s. They have since hit a plateau and now stand at about triple the rate of the 1950s.

But there is encouraging news; suicide is one of the most preventable causes of death. Ninety percent of the time, people will tell someone they are contemplating suicide.

In an excellent article in the Christian Science Monitor, “Teen Suicide (Prevention is Contagious, too),” Stacy Teicher Khadaroo quotes Ann Has from the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention: “Compared with 10 years ago, the proliferation of prevention efforts among young people represents a quantum leap forward.” Prevention programs are becoming more effective at reaching students at risk.

If you would like to learn how you can help prevent suicide, please attend the CV Alliance program on suicide prevention. It will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 27 at the CV High School library. Ilin Magran, M.S., and Karen Carlson, LMFT, from the Glendale Unified School District will speak about QPR training. QPR stands for question, persuade and refer. By learning these three steps, anyone can learn to recognize the warning signs of suicide, know how to offer hope, know how to get help and save a life. For many years, people have been trained in CPR and Heimlech maneuver to help save lives. The QPR program, like CPR, is based on training and early detection. This talk is open to both adults and teens.

Prevention is not just about stopping suicide, it is about affirming and celebrating life. Each day our youth are learning resiliency and coping skills. They are affirming life by being involved in the arts, sports, community service, church activities and nurturing friendships.

Nancy Stone
CV Alliance Board Member