Teen Suicide Quote of the Day
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"Weighing many of the traditional risk factors -- mood disorders, alcohol abuse, recent loss of a loved one, and family history of suicidal behavior -- may not be enough."
--Health Day News (via LiveScience)
It's especially "not enough" when one significant "traditional risk factor" for teen suicide -- the third leading cause of death among teens -- is mentioned nowhere in the piece, namely being gay, especially in an anti-gay home or environment.
Granted, the focus of the piece is on the efficacy and risk of anti-depressants for teens and not the "nature-nurture" debate regarding the causes of teen suicide or teen suicide ideation. Nevertheless, if a kid is contemplating suicide because his parents just told him that he's a "pervert," or a "sinner" or "just confused," then pumping him full of Prozac is unlikely to help. The issues are inseparable.
Harvest the low-hanging fruit first: The medical community -- from the APA to the pharmaceutical companies -- need to confront, not only in doctor's offices and ERs but also in the media, schools and even churches, the literally lethal impact anti-gay bigotry has on gay youth. Worry about which pill to prescribe later.
--Health Day News (via LiveScience)
It's especially "not enough" when one significant "traditional risk factor" for teen suicide -- the third leading cause of death among teens -- is mentioned nowhere in the piece, namely being gay, especially in an anti-gay home or environment.
Granted, the focus of the piece is on the efficacy and risk of anti-depressants for teens and not the "nature-nurture" debate regarding the causes of teen suicide or teen suicide ideation. Nevertheless, if a kid is contemplating suicide because his parents just told him that he's a "pervert," or a "sinner" or "just confused," then pumping him full of Prozac is unlikely to help. The issues are inseparable.
Harvest the low-hanging fruit first: The medical community -- from the APA to the pharmaceutical companies -- need to confront, not only in doctor's offices and ERs but also in the media, schools and even churches, the literally lethal impact anti-gay bigotry has on gay youth. Worry about which pill to prescribe later.
Related Posts (on one page):
- Teen Suicide Quote of the Day
- Suicide and the Bigots
- America's Suicide Non-Bombers
- Teens, Society and Suicide
- Who Commits Suicide -- And Why?
Posted by Kip on
28 December 2006
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