Jaclyn Kolodziej

Openly discussing mental health has been taboo for a long time. Society has made people feel ashamed to be affiliated with mental illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014: Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 42,000 people. Suicide was the second leading cause of death among individuals between the ages of 10 and 34. There were more than twice as many suicides (42,773) in the United States as there were homicides (15,809). We can’t wait for the next famous actor to commit suicide before we start an open dialogue about depression and suicide. How can we talk about it? Starting a conversation with your teen can be tough but it must begin somewhere. Show concern and offer support. Be a good listener. Be prepared for a negative response.

Jaclyn Kolodziej

Starting a Conversation