Rash Of Teen Suicides In Georgia Prompts Prevention Effort

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia health, education and law enforcement officials are responding to a recent rash of teen and youth suicides in the state.

In just the past two months, 14 minors have taken their own lives in Georgia, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

In response, a coalition of state agencies has launched a series of workshops for educators. Sponsored by the Georgia Child Fatality Review Program, the workshops have so far provided more than 200 educators with suicide-prevention training.

"The main purpose of the GCFR program is to prevent deaths," Trebor Randle, a special agent in charge with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said in a news release.

So far, suicide prevention summits have been held in Macon, Rome, Gainesville and Gwinnett County. Each summit was held at a site which met the criteria of having suicides of children under 18 years old reported for three consecutive years.

More programs are planned in September for other locations throughout the state.

The GBI has begun a new protocol by which local school boards are notified if one of their students commits suicide. The notification is an effort to involve teachers, administrators, students, support personnel, caregivers and community volunteers in dealing with and preventing future self-inflicted deaths.

In Georgia, suicide is the third-leading cause of death for people aged 10-24 and according to SPAN-GA, an average of three students in a typical middle or high school class have attempted suicide in the past year.

Recently, the Bartow County Sheriff's Office joined a growing number of law enforcement agencies speaking out about youth suicide in the state.

Signs to look for, according to the sheriff's office, are:

• Drastic changes in behavior or mood
• Loss of interest in typical activities
• Changes in friends
• Risky behaviors (sex, drugs, alcohol)
• Changes in eating and sleeping habits
• Isolation, or seems disconnected
• Sense of hopelessness

While some of those behaviors are typical among teens, the more factors that apply, the more likely the teen may be having suicidal thoughts, the sheriff's office said.

The office's post also urged parents who own firearms to use strong security practices to keep them out of children's hands, whether they are suicidal or not.

For anyone considering suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 1-800-273-8255. It offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day for people in distress and their loved ones.

Image courtesy Georgia Child Fatality Review program