Dear Readers:

I am very saddened these days by the number of letters that I get from people, especially teens, wanting to commit suicide. In the news I see many stories about a young person who has taken his or her own life. One particular occurrence that recently happened in the Ft. Worth, Texas area, was a 16 yr. old young man. He was an "A" student, very loving at home, and a peacemaker between his divorced parents. He was a good person and had some friends at school, but was teased because he was basically a loner and kept to himself. One day he stepped into a bathroom stall at school and shot himself to death with a 9mm pistol. Some students said he frequently talked of suicide, and was seen by a family member writing suicide notes. If only someone would have notified school counselors or other family members of his behavior, perhaps this young life could have been spared.

I would like to use this column to inform everyone of some of the warning signs and risk factors for suicide.

• Personality change
• Drug or alcohol use
• Significant weight loss or gain
• Change in sleeping pattern
• Neglect of appearance
• Depression
• Giving away possessions
• Rebellious behavior
• Unusual sadness
• Withdrawal from family or friends
• Inability to concentrate
• Decline in quality of school work
• Chronic pain, panic or anxiety
• Unwillingness to communicate

• Problems at school
• Breakup with boyfriend or girlfriend
• Divorce
• Death of a loved one
• Stressful family life
• Unexpected pregnancy
• Questioning of sexual preferences

If you know of someone experiencing any of these behaviors, please urge them to call for help, or tell someone in authority who could get help for them.

If you are thinking about committing suicide, please, please call one of these numbers and let someone help you with your feelings. For the one or few that you want to hurt by taking your life, there are many others who love you, and will be greatly saddened by the loss of your not being in their lives.

• National Youth Crisis Hotline (800) 442-4673
• National Crisis Helpline (800) 999-9999
• Suicide Prevention (Canada) (800)567-6407

Another one called the Trevor Helpline is a 247 suicide hotline for gay and questioning youth. Teens with nowhere to turn can call (800) 850-8078 and talk to trained counselors, find local resources and take steps to becoming healthy adults. All calls are free and confidential.

Perhaps that call that you make today will save the life of a young person.