FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A series of recent teen suicides in Clovis are causing alarm – but how do parents spot problems before it’s too late?
Some parents are worried and are calling for more education such as classes at the schools directed at teenagers.
Psychologist Jay Pope, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Psychology at Fresno Pacific University, and agrees with education for both parents and teens.
“It’s about education. It’s so important understanding that the overwhelming majority of people who have attempted suicide but who have survived have regretted that decision. There have actually been some people who attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge and they lived and each one of them said they have regretted their decision.” – Jay Pope, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Fresno Pacific University
So what are the cries for help?
“Feelings of hopelessness, feelings of guilt, overwhelming stress, when people start talking like they’re not going to be here, giving away possessions to other people, when people begin to feel better suddenly and surprisingly after an extended period of feeling down because it could mean they have decided to kill themselves and they feel some sense of relief about it.” -Jay Pope, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology, Fresno Pacific University.
Pope says parents should ask teens directly if they are considering suicide because it demonstrates to the teens that others are caring about them – it also serves as a wake up call to the teen that they should get some help.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
