A number of high-achieving kids do poorly and can't handle it. For the individual who feels the pain of chronic emotional abandonment by his or her parents, the act of suicide may be the only way the teen can convey his or her pain. Plus, adolescents tend to respond more quickly and more dramatically to a situation than do adults. There's also pressure on teens to grow up too quickly in a harsh culture that does not support them, experts say. But Heather disagrees that music could cause someone to pull the trigger on oneself.
Depression is an illness and anyone can get it.
I want people to understand that, and I want them to know the only thing that saved me was when I reached out my hand and begged for help and trusted the people around me to do what's best for me. For more information, call 527-6223.