Suicide and mental illness are prevalent in young teens today, with suicide being the third leading cause of death among teens 15-19 years old. Suicide isn't regarded as a big issue in the world, which concerns me.
Canyons School District is holding a seminar for parents to teach the signs that their child may be struggling. In my opinion, if you are unaware that your child is struggling, this seminar isn't going to help. What's going to help is providing these teens with someone they trust. Growing up, they repeatedly tell us that we can go to the counselors, but the trust just isn't there. Counselors see their students maybe three times the entire time they attend school.
If a teen really is struggling, it is important to get them help and make them see that things do get better. We need to make them feel safe and get them the right kind of help, the kind that no parent, school counselor or teacher can provide for them. Instead of acting like a seminar will help, we need to look at the actual problem and stop ignoring that teens do feel pressure and that suicides do happen.
Callie Allan
South Jordan