Families, counselors meet at Mesa forum to discuss teen suicides
May 10, 2018, 6:31 AM
(Pexels.com Photo)
(Pexels.com Photo)
MESA, Ariz. — Parents, siblings, community leaders and counselors gathered Wednesday evening for a special forum to address teenage suicides.
There have been an alarming number of teen suicides, with authorities putting the latest numbers at 34 since May of 2017 among children ages 10 to 18.
The forum called Arizona Talks Teen Suicide: Taking Action, Saving Lives was held at Mesa Community College and included family members discussing the void that’s been left after a loved one ended his or her life.
Blake Harrison of Mesa lost his brother to a suicide 12 years ago. He urged anyone considering suicide to get help.
He said he still felt he could have done more for his brother.
“I just think that I could have done better in being a better human or a better friend or sibling, “ Harrison said.
Teacher Tim Warnock lost his son to a suicide. “My son was a great young man, one of the greatest men I’ve ever met,” Warnock said.
“Most resilient man I’ve ever met. We needed him.”
Warnock said the resources available years ago weren’t necessarily there for kids now.
“That puts more burden on us as a community to be that place, that relationship, that source of connection where a kid can go to,” Warnock said.
A woman identified only as “Eileen” told the gathering she lost her brother to a suicide last August.
Eileen said any family can experience suicide. “It does not discriminate, it’s not the troublemakers, it can be anybody,” she said.
Contributors to suicide include peer pressure, bullying and social media.
One of the main takeaways from the evening was help was available for families and anyone considering ending his or her life.
Counseling was available locally, including teen peer counselors, at 602-248-TEEN.
