"The good news is that we don’t have to wait for all the answers to know what to do. … We just need to do a better job of identifying, reaching out to and providing resources for at-risk youths." — Richard A. Friedman
I agree with the points Friedman makes in his opinion piece. We can and should work toward making the changes he advocates, and could save a lot of lives. The sobering part to me, though, is that I know even implementing all those changes can't reach every struggling kid.
The article says only 33 percent of boys with depression received treatment in 2019. Rader, in 2017, was indeed being treated for depression, seen by a pediatrician, counselors, and a psychiatrist. It cites the possible influence of smart phones and cyberbullying. Rader wasn't using a smart phone and was not active on social media. It mentions that the black box warning on antidepressants led to fewer prescriptions for teenagers than perhaps are needed. But Rader was taking a prescription antidepressant.
Friedman's conclusion: "To start, we need a major public campaign to educate parents and teachers to recognize depression in young people and to learn about the warning signs of suicide — like a sudden change in behavior, talking or writing about suicide, and giving away prized possessions. We should have universal screening of teenagers at school, with parental consent, to identify those who are suffering from depression and who are at risk of suicide. And we have to provide adequate funding and resources to match the mental health needs of our young people."
I agree that increasing knowledge among parents and teachers about suicide and its warning signs will save lives. I wonder if it could have saved Rader. I fully support universal screening at school, and increasing funding and resources to meet our teens' mental health needs. I'm going to keep working to get the word out.
So when you read something here on the website or on my social media that resonates with you, please share it. It could make a life-or-death difference to someone.