Mental Health Dialogue Seeks Healthy Solutions
“Leaders are desperate to know what to say, how to say it, and what they can do to help address the need,” Price said. Opioid Abuse a Growing Issue As the opioid crisis gained more and more media attention, CNN reported that two Georgia teens who had played Little League together died within half an hour of each other. The young men likely purchased the drugs that killed them from the same dealer. With stories like that inching ever closer, Willowbrooke at Floyd held events in both Polk and Floyd counties to educate parents, teachers and friends on how to recognize substance abuse, how to intervene when someone you love is addicted.
Teen suicide and the prevalence of opioid abuse have become increasingly common, yet are two subjects individuals still avoid talking about. Willowbrooke at Floyd organized two events in 2017, including two Live Well Polk! events in Polk County, aimed at opening the lines of communication about these two difficult topics. Suicide In the Media Spotlight The suicide prevention event, based on the popular Netflix television show 13 Reasons Why was designed to help parents, teachers and families learn more about recognizing the warning signs of adolescent suicide and where to get help. “Our biggest hope for anyone who attends is for them to feel empowered, to know what to look for, how to address the identified needs in the moment and where they can find professional help and intervention,” said Debra Price, a counselor and one of the panelists. Participants watched a scene from 13 Reasons Why , then participated in a roundtable discussion led by counselors and therapists who have worked closely with teens and adolescents and have first-hand experience in treating young people who have suicidal thoughts. 13 Reasons Why follows teenager Clay Jensen as he tries to understand why his friend and classmate, Hannah Baker, committed suicide. “However, we need to make sure the dialogue is healthy,” she said. “Suicide should not be glamorized or made to appear valiant in any way. Many people have no idea the second-leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults is suicide.” The events, held in Polk and Floyd counties, included information about current regional statistics related to suicide, actual suicide signs and symptoms, healthy talking points for parents, teachers, teens and peers, and a question-and-answer session with the panel. Price said 13 Reasons Why has sparked a positive dialogue on teen suicide.
A staff of counselors and social workers addressed the topics and presented startling statistics.
The New York Times estimates that 52,404 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2015. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that number reached 63,600 in 2016, 42,249 of those from opioids.
Drug overdoses are the leading cause of death among Americans under 50, according to the Times.
Attendees at both events expressed candid concern and a willingness to learn how to prevent future tragedies by arming themselves with knowledge.
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