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Influential panel raises doubts on youth suicide screening

In this photo provided by the family, Rio Allred, 12, of Elkhart, Ind., hugs her stepmother, Kassi Jackson. The suicide of 12-year-old Rio in March 2022, left her close-knit family reeling and wondering if they’d missed any signs. They knew she was bothered by merciless bullying about her alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. The family complained to school authorities and gave Rio a choice of transferring or home-schooling, but she wanted to stay put, her mother, Nicole Ball says. “She put on such a brave face. … I never thought it would get to this point.” (Courtesy Nicole Ball via AP) In this photo provided by the family, Rio Allred, 8, of Elkhart, Ind., is embraced by her mother, Nicole Ball. The suicide of 12-year-old Rio in March 2022, left her close-knit family reeling and wondering if they’d missed any signs. They knew she was bothered by merciless bullying about her alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. The family complained to school authorities and gave Rio a choice of transferring or home-schooling, but she wanted to stay put, Ball says. “She put on such a brave face. … I never thought it would get to this point.” (Courtesy Nicole Ball via AP) In this photo provided by the family, Rio Allred, 12, stands with her mother, Nicole Ball, a few minutes after she asked her parents to shave her head in September 2021 at their Elkhart, Ind. home. The suicide of 12-year-old Rio in March 2022, left her close-knit family reeling and wondering if they'd missed any signs. They knew she was bothered by merciless bullying about her alopecia, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. The family complained to school authorities and gave Rio a choice of transferring or home-schooling, but she wanted to stay put, Ball says. "She put on such a brave face. … I never thought it would get to this point." (Nicole Ball via AP)