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How parents can help curb teen suicides:
BY HONORA NORTON Progress Guest Writer
Participants in a program called One Gilbert hope to unite the town’s residents behind an ambitious and much-needed goal: eliminating teen suicide.
The effort, launched in October 2019 by education consultant Katey McPherson and Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels, will attempt to ensure teens have at least one trusted adult who can guide them through everyday life and emotional distress.
An increase in connectedness between teens and adults has been proven to be effective in diffusing teenagers’ thoughts of self-harm.
A Valley mother of a teen who died by suicide shared her story at a recent One Gilbert team meeting. She re�lected upon what she considers to be key contributors to the heartbreaking action. Warning signs a teen could be considering suicide include: • Extreme mood changes or irritability. • Feeling depressed, sad or hopeless for more than two weeks. • Acting out or drastic changes in usual behavior. • Abnormal sleep patterns. • Changes in eating habits. • Withdrawing from some aspects of social life.
The mother also believes peer pressure, social media, cell phone overuse and annual wellness checks that do not include depression screening contributed to her child’s death
Now an advocate for suicide prevention, the mother said, “As a parent, I was too close and didn’t know or recognize the warning signs.”
She emphasized the importance of every child’s need to have a trusted adult to help them through growing up and maturing, whether that person is a parent or a teacher or a coach – and that a sense of alienation can contribute to suicide.
One Gilbert is interested in increasing protective factors that contribute to a teen’s resiliency and reduce the risk of suicide. These protective factors include: • Family and community support. • Connection to or participation in school activities. • Hope for the future. • Basic life skills, including coping, problem-solving and con�lict resolution. • Access to effective care for mental, physical and substance use concerns. • Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide.
According to a report from the Arizona Department of Health Services, 50 Arizona children between the ages 10- 17 died by suicide in 2017.
This is nearly 20 percent higher than the national rate.
In May 2019 the Mitch Warnock Act, sponsored by Sen. Sean Bowie D-Ahwatukee, passed through the Legislature unanimously and was signed into law. This safety net law was named after Mitch Warnock, a student at Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, who died by suicide at age 18. His parents advocated for the legislation.
The law requires all school staff who come in contact with students in grades six through 12 to be trained to look for the warning signs of suicide – indications that a parent might not recognize. Additionally, at the One Gilbert meeting, Morgan Phillips from Teen Lifeline spoke about the Arizona-based nonpro�it that provides a safe, con�idential peer-to-peer hotline for teens and other suicide prevention services for teens, parents, and educators.
Teens who are considering suicide, struggling to feel hope in their lives, or who simply need someone to talk to, are invited to call Teen Lifeline 24/7/365 at 602-248-TEEN (8336).
Teen Lifeline received more than 25,000 calls in 2019. From 3-9 p.m. daily, the hotline is answered by trained volunteer peer counselors ages 15-19, who are supervised by master-level clinicians.
Trained counselors are available at all other times. Teen Lifeline is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology.
Community members can help prevent teen suicide by volunteering for community-based committees, such as One Gilbert, or attending a teen mental health �irst aid training session. Find information about mental health �irst aid at AZYP.org.
Parents are also encouraged to check the back of their teen’s school ID to see if the Teen Lifeline hotline number is listed.
If not, ask your school to participate in the free School ID Initiative by Teen Lifeline. Learn more at TeenLifeline.org.
- Dr. Honora Norton is a voluntee in various nonpro�it and faith-based organizations.
Iwas one of 50+ people in attendance at the City of Scottsdale community outreach meeting on Feb. 12, at the Grayhawk Community Center.
The intent of this meeting was to provide information and solicit citizen concerns on text amendment 4-TA-2019.
The text amendment was proposed to the zoning ordinance to introduce freewayappropriate freestanding and building signs for large mixed-use developments along Loop 101 between Hayden and Scottsdale roads.
City Planner Andrew Chi conducted the meeting and was well versed on the various aspects of the project. During the question and answer session, I requested a show of hands of those opposed to this ordinance. Over 90 percent of attendees raised their hands in opposition. I then asked Mr. Chi if he would inform the city staff of the overwhelming citizen opposition to the signage.
He recommended attendees complete comment cards for our voices to be heard. Most of the attendees completed cards for submission to the city manager. City Council members Whitehead and Little�ield), two candidates for mayor (Mr. Little�ield and Mr. Ortega) and two candidates for City Council (Tom Durham and myself) were in attendance.
The objections to this amendment were reported back to City Manager Jim Thompson quickly.
I am very pleased to report our voices have been heard and that the request for the text amendment has been shelved.
-Betty Janik Letters Scottsdale shows good judgement on signage issue
Classical Education. Revolutionary Schools.
6-12
Take a tour. See the difference.
Kinder-5 th
