Child Suicide Reaching Epidemic Proportions

Online, February 3, 2010 (Newswire.com) - It might surprise some people to learn that children as young as 5-years-old are experiencing suicidal feelings and that child suicide has reached epidemic proportions. This is the message that author Jan Andersen has been trying to get across since the tragic loss of her eldest son Kristian in November 2002. She believes that whilst the media are happy to cover the issue of assisted suicide in terminally ill patients, they are not giving the same level of coverage to the serious issue of depression and suicidal behaviour in otherwise physically healthy young people.

Following her son's suicide, Jan established the Child Suicide website to offer support and understanding to families affected by suicide and to help young people suffering from depression. Since the website was launched 7 years ago, Jan has interacted with hundreds of people around the world whose lives have been touched by suicide and she has also counselled young people who have experienced suicidal thoughts. However, the message that comes across time and again from those with whom Jan has communicated is that not enough is being done to bring this sensitive topic into the public domain.

Jan, who is also the author of Chasing Death: Losing a Child to Suicide said, "Whenever the suicide of a young person is reported in the media, there is rarely any follow-up discussion about the issue and how we can all play a part in reducing the stigma associated with depression and suicide and, consequently, help those who might be at risk.

"What is so alarming is that children as young as 5 are thinking about ending their lives because of abuse, bullying and other problems. This may seem hard to believe, but every week I receive notification of yet another suicide of a child under the age of 10-years-old. Recently, for example, it was reported that in McMinnville, Oregon, a 6-year-old girl hung herself at home and in Tarrant County, Texas, a 9-year-old boy hung himself in a school bathroom. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young men under the age of 24 and the sixth leading cause of death for 5 to 14-year-olds."

Jan's book, Chasing Death, includes the harrowing experiences of families around the world who have lost children, grandchildren, siblings or friends to suicide and highlights the myths, insensitivity and limited understanding of mental illness and suicidal behaviour.

"Suicide is an extremely uncomfortable topic and when you add children to the equation, it becomes even more shocking, which is why I believe the media don't wish to address the issue. However, because of this underreporting, people are made to feel that it is a taboo subject and, as such, those who are feeling suicidal may be afraid of seeking the help they so desperately need for fear of being branded selfish or attention-seeking, which in turn only serves to exacerbate their lack of self-worth. Unless we educate people, then it will continue to happen and it will be regarded as something of which to be ashamed. Younger children may not know how to seek help and so we need to educate adults to recognise the signs that someone under the age of 10 may be feeling suicidal.

"The truth is that a large majority of us will think about suicide at some point during our lives, yet we do not admit to these thoughts because we believe we are in the minority. Sadly, most people allow their lives to be controlled by fear; fear of being judged, fear of being perceived a failure, fear of appearing vulnerable and so on. In order to effect change, we have to move through fear and tackle issues that have the power to change people's lives forever."

Jan is currently writing a follow-up to Chasing Death, entitled "Kristian's Heaven: Chasing Life and Its Meaning", in which she channels words of comfort from her son and answers the many "Whys, Whats, Hows" and other questions that those left behind ask.

£1 from every copy sold of Chasing Death: Losing a Child to Suicide will be donated to Kidscape, the UK charity committed to keeping children safe from bullying and abuse. Chasing Death is currently available on Amazon and in all good book stores.

For further information, please contact:
Jan Andersen

Email: [email protected]
http://www.childsuicide.org

Chasing Death: Losing a Child to Suicide
http://www.chasingdeath.com
ISBN: 978-1-905399-44-4