A hidden crisis - Teen suicides rock local sports communities

In a must read article by Roman Stubbs of the Washington Post, he writes about the tragic death of John Bruns and Heather Wendlin’s daughter, London from suicide this past September. London, an avid volleyball player, was only 13 years old.

He goes on to write that “Youth suicide was already at a record high before the pandemic — with increases among teens every year from 2007 to 2017, it is the second-leading cause of death among high-school-aged students — and some researchers fear the mental health consequences of coronavirus restrictions on not only schools but also sports could help elevate those numbers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a survey recently asking young adults whether they had thought about killing themselves in the past 30 days; 1 of 4 said they had.”

The entire article can be accessed by clicking HERE.

It is of the utmost importance that we all remain vigilant of those in our relationship circles for signs of emotional distress and to not be afraid to ask questions and offer help. You can make a difference in someone’s life.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text a crisis counselor at 741741.

Our Team Suicide Prevention Family would like to wish you all a safe and healthy Merry Christmas. We certainly understand that we are in unprecedented times with many of our families, friends, and colleagues experiencing untold suffering and despair. Our prayers go out to all who have been impacted by the Covid crisis.

Be safe! Stay safe!

cj