It's not a pleasant topic, but an important one to discuss with teenagers nonetheless - suicide.  According to federal health officials, suicide is the third leading cause of death of 15-to-24 year olds in the US.  And alarmingly, the number of teen suicides in Duval County is 50 percent higher than the national average.  Nationally, 10 teenagers in 100,000 commit suicide, while in Duval County it's 15 in 100,000.

Dr. Vicki Waytowich from Daniel explains how a new program is hoping to decrease the teen suicide rate in Duval County.

Florida A.S.A.P Program

The Florida A.S.A.P Program, which is funded by federal money, stands for "Adolescent Suicide Awareness and Prevention."  This project was launched locally in July and runs through the end of September.  Its goal is to reduce the suicide rate in youth from ages 10 to 24 years old.

The program is focusing on five steps:

·         Training "gatekeepers" in suicide prevention.  Gatekeepers are mostly adults who interact closely with teenagers, such as social workers, teachers, and people who work in the juvenile justice system.  These people are taught the warning signs of suicide, how to talk to young people about suicide and where to refer them for help.

·         Screening a thousand teenagers using a suicide prevention screening tool.  This has been done by working with a local high school and already more than a dozen students ended up seeking help from guidance counselors because of these screenings.

·         Working with parents to expand their involvement in their teenagers' lives.  This fall, the program is releasing a "Family Guide for Suicide Prevention" that provides ideas and tips for parents and families to prevent suicide among their own teens and throughout the community.

·         Working with existing crisis support services. This includes United Way 211, which receives calls to two suicide hotlines

·         Continued care.  We're making sure that teens that have been identified as being at risk for suicide get and continue to receive the care and attention they need.

Red Flags

Parents should watch out for the following red flags, which might indicate that a teenager is at risk for suicide.

·         Changes in eating or sleeping habits

·         Withdrawal from friends and family

·         Losing interest in regular activities they used to enjoy, such as sports

·         Drug and alcohol use

·         Neglect of personal hygiene and appearance

·         Problems with schoolwork

If a teen says "I want to kill myself" or "I'm going to commit suicide" a parent or anyone who hears it should always take it seriously.  That teenager needs to speak with a qualified mental health professional.

Two hotlines regarding suicide prevention that teens (or anyone) can call if they are feeling suicidal tendencies are:

1-800-SUICIDE and 1-800-273-TALK

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