Awareness
This page contains articles and videos covering topics of concern for our teens and children in the U.S. Please read and watch them and reflect on how you can help these children who are our future.
Lessons from Emily
Emily Klopotek struggled with an eating disorder for more than half a decade and that struggle contributed to her death by suicide in February 2018 at the age of 18.
Sleep Deprivation Affects Teens by Samantha West
Following a documentary, You're Not Alone" a panel of professional discussed a pertinent issue of Teens: Sleep Deprivation. If a teen is dozing off during his or her first class of the day, it doesn't necessarily mean they're lazy. Teen brains are biologically programmed to sleep later and longer. But because of early school start times and because of busy schedules that often come with high school, they're not getting the sleep they need. See More.
You're Not Alone is a documentary of four young people who share their mental health challenges which they faced and successfully overcame. One was born addicted to heroin. Another wrote a good-bye note when he was 7 years old. One was cyber-bullied relentlessly. Some thought about suicide. They’re sharing their stories to let others know they are not alone and that healing is possible.
See Video on YouTube
Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Suicide is a major health concern and a leading cause of death in the United States. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 24 years.
In 2016, the last year with complete data, 44,965 people were reported to have died by suicide. Over a 17-year period, the total suicide rate increased 28% from 10.3 to 13.4 per 100,000. Men died by suicide 3.53x more often than women, but women attempted suicide 1.3x more often than men.