The great unspoken tragedy
By the Hon. John B. Leete President Judge Potter County

Potter and Cameron counties are to be commended for addressing a difficult and painful topic.

Youth suicide is a terrible problem in our state and nation. Every year we lose thousands of wonderful young people to suicide, not to mention up to a halfmillion attempts at self-harm.

This is a very nondiscriminatory problem affecting children from every group and circumstance.

In most states, youth suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people. After some decline in the youth suicide rate, there was a significant increase in 2003-2004.

It is hard for us as parents to accept the reality that more kids die from suicide than cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and AIDS combined. Rural youth are particularly at risk.

When a teen suicide occurs, the impact on family, friends, school, and community are devastating. Because there is so much pain involved, we become reluctant to discuss it. That is why teen suicide is the great unspoken American tragedy.

Potter County started prevention activities after the loss of three young men in late 2002 and early 2003. A countywide task force was formed, with representatives of schools, government, health care providers, clergy, as well as interested citizens.

The message emerged that "it is okay to ask for help." We teach kids that emotional pain is like physical pain, and that mental illnesses such as depression are treatable just like physical ailments.

We often use the comparison that just as we get treatment for broken bones, we must do the same for broken hearts and spirits.

In Potter County, we will be hosting our third annual Teen Tinnitus Concert on Satuday, April 14, at the Coudersport Consistory. This is a prevention activity and celebration of young life where hundreds of young people can come together for music and some positive messages.

We also sponsor school assemblies and other activities so that our work is visible in schools and communities. All of our schools have active YR Clubs, based on the International Yellow Ribbon Youth Suicide Prevention program started in Colorado in 1994, to help spread the prevention message.

Dickinson Mental Health and the county government have been strong and active supporters of these efforts.

The SOS (Signs of Suicide) program is coming to Cameron County, again with the assistance of Dickinson Mental Health. This is another quality educational program aimed at raising student and community awareness about youth suicide.

Our two rural counties have taken some important steps to educate and protect. But this is not just about teaching our children. Our generation must take an active part. While none us wants to think that our children are at risk, our local and national experience indicates otherwise.

Discussion is only part of the answer. It does no good to teach kids to ask for help if help is not available. We must have quality and accessible counseling and mental health services.

Beyond awareness and direct services, we must create an atmosphere where all kids know that they are a loved and valued part of our rural communities, and that we as responsible adults will always be there for them, no matter what.

We cannot lose another child to suicide.