Community meeting tackles teen suicide

Pathways Medical Director Dr. Michael Newman said many parents take false comfort as Jolie Fish did when their child tells someone about suicidal thoughts.

"It's a myth that if they talk about it they won't do it," he said. "I take it seriously when any teenager begins to talk about it."

The psychiatrist shares his expertise on teen depression and suicide as the keynote speaker of the town hall meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the WestCoast Hotel at the Kalispell Center Mall. The event features speakers, a teen panel and questions.

Newman said he understands why parents see changes in their child's behavior as a phase or teenage angst rather than depression that could lead to suicide.

"It's natural for us not to want to see these problems in our families," he said.

Newman said typical teenage angst goes up and down but the young person maintains routines. To differentiate depression from angst, a parent should look for:

. Changes in school work.

. Isolation and withdrawing from friends.

. Irritability

. No longer finding joy in activities they once enjoyed.

Newman said there is no profile per se of a young person likely to commit suicide. But he said some at-risk factors include:

. History of depression and anxiety.

. Prior attempt at suicide.

. Family history of suicide.

. Associated use of drugs and alcohol.

. Access to firearms

Newman said a cohesive family network has proved protective against teenage suicide. He urges parents to keep track of their children and their friends.

"Their child's friends shouldn't be strangers," Newman said.

It seems a contradiction that Montana, a state of small communities and close-knit families, continually ends up in the top few state with the most teenage suicides.

"We don't really know why," Newman said.

By contrast, national rates have declined since the mid- to late 1980s. Some experts attribute this to increased screening and treatment with antidepressants and counseling.

Newman said professionals speculate factors contributing to Montana's high suicide rate include geographic isolation and a taboo against exposing mental health problems.

"There's a stigma against getting help," Newman said.

Experts consider Montanans' access to firearms another potential factor. Although mental health professionals advise families with a depressed teenager to rid the house of weapons, Newman said many fail to follow through.

In the 15 to young adult group, a loss like a romantic breakup may push a depressed teenage with suicidal thoughts to follow through. An available gun at that moment provides the catalyst for tragedy.

"Much of this (teen suicide) is actually done on an impulse," Newman said.

Unlike healthy adults, he said teenagers don't have a history of living through pain to draw on when disappointment and tragedy strike.

The psychiatrist sees the town hall meeting as a chance for the community to develop steps to reduce teen depression and suicide such as forming peer support groups, teacher education, school screenings and/or depression/suicide curriculums.

He said each person who attends the meeting will leave with a comprehensive list of resources available for help.

"There are more resources than people think," Newman said.

He expects new ideas to spin off from the valleywide discussion as the community takes more responsibility for taking care of its teenagers.

"We can do a better job of preventing suicide," Newman said.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com