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NEWS LETTER Adolescent Depression and Suicide  The suffering suicide is private and inexpressible, leaving family members, friends, and colleagues to deal with an almost unfathomable kind of loss, as well as guilt. Suicide carries in its aftermath a level of confusion and devastation that is, for the most part beyond description. (Night Falls Fast p.24). Governor Baldacci has noted following a dra­matic article by Barbara   Walsh in the Portland Press Herald November 14, 2004 that: Every child's death is a tragedy and suicide claims more young people's lives than homicide, cancer, heart disease, AIDS and birth defects combined Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Maine's young people aged 15-24, taking a total of 115 young lives from 1998-2002, an average of 23 each year the suicide rate among Maine youth is 50% above the national average, the eighth highest in the country and the highest in New England.   It is estimated that for every young life claimed by suicide there are up to 100 non-fatal suicide attempts by youth. The 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey established that "17% of high school students, and 20 % of middle school reported seriously considering suicide in the past year. And that 9% of both groups reported making at least one attempt. The most common reason people under 35 are admitted to the hospital is suicide attempts. These statistics have to be taken with some skepticism. The actual number of teenagers (and others) who commit suicide is probably much greater than the 'official' statistics indicate. Many accidents may actually be covert suicides. There may be emotional, financial, or religious reasons for concealing a suicide, or for wanting to believe it didn't really happen. When there is a violent death police are concerned to rule out homicide—once that is done suicide is of less interest from a legal perspective (Maureen Emphfield, M.D. and Nicholas, Bakalar Understanding Teenage Depression© 2001 p.4-5.) In both cases funding was limited to Federal Grants. As  Governor   King did in 1995, Baldacci established a Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program task force. Unfortunately Despite our efforts, the teen suicide deaths haven't decreased admits Cheryl DiCara, Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator. Mary Dunlap, Nurse Practioner, Director Rumford High School, school based clinic noted. We were better equipped to handle the issues and concerns that arose after the student's death." In both cases funding was limited to Federal Grants. The Surgeon General’s National Strategy for suicide prevention (2001) presents a comprehensive list of objectives to be accomplished by 2005. Suicide Prevention Plans exist in over 20 states. Unfortunately many seem to be focused on increasing reports about suicide. Prior to this (1995-1999) The Air Force had a plan that reduced suicides in the Air Force by over 60%.  We do know how to do it! Why are we not do­ing it? Why is it so difficult? There is an institutional tendency towards short-term and isolated prevention planning. We must still deal with the twin nemeses of stigma and disparity. The social stigma associated with mental illness, substance abuse, and suicidal behaviors is increasing, not decreasing. Little, if any, progress has been made to reduce the disparity in access to mental health care. We have been unable to acquire and maintain appropriate levels of public and private funding for suicide prevention. Nor have we settled the basic argument that prevention is a luxury and funds should be allocated instead to treatment. Both are necessary. Let us look at numbers for just the past five years; Adults: Suicides 851; Survivors* 5160; attempts 21,275 Living Survivors* ; Youth: Suicides 115; Survivors* 690; attempts at least 11,500. Please note the survivors are with us for many years. The numbers are a mind boggling. During the same five-year period they come to 57,500. The emotional and economic costs are tremendous.   There seems to be more and more books published about mental illness. Some are easier to understand than others.  One is advertised as "A User-Friendly Alphabetical Guide to Psychiatric Symptoms and What You Should Know About Them: SO Signs of Mental Illness" by James Whitney Hicks, M.D. New Haven: Yale University Press ©2005 ISBN 0-300-10657-2 Hicks uses terms that are commonly used and easily recognized. He also offers ways to cope, with specific concerns. His opening paragraph on Depression reads, you thought you had defeated this beast Life was looking pretty good. Why are you now dreading waking up each morning, each day be more painful than the last, with no end in sight (91) The index will lead you to almost any sign or symptom you wish. I think it will be useful for me, particularly when trying to describe my symptoms. Disclaimer The information in the newsletters is not designed to replace the professional medical advice. The editor, like many of you has been given the gift of mental illness. It Is not written by a psychiatrist, therapist, or any other mental health professional. If you need help please see your own physician . Ask and we will be very happy to help you get such assis­tance. The information in this newsletter was compiled from sources considered reliable. While every possible effort has been made to ensure reliability, the editor will not assume liability for damages caused by Inaccuracies in the data, and makes no warranty, express or Implied, on the accuracy of the Information contained herein.

bjc
06/18/2007