An estimated 250,000-500,000 teenagers attempt suicide each year; around 5,000 are successful. There are annually over 11 suicides per 100,000 youth. Girls are four times as likely to attempt suicide; boys are four times more likely to succeed. For young people under the age of 21, suicide is the leading cause of death. 73% of all suicides by 15- 24-year-olds are caucasian males. Suicide rates have increased 400% in the last fifty years.

Depression is a major risk factor for suicide.

An estimated 1 in 20 youth are depressed.

The reason I have created this website, is not to step on your toes or try to be "you". I am a single mom with 3 children of my own and I am doing the very best I can to raise my children with proper morals and compassion for others. I have not walked, but ran to school several times to report a bully my child has told me about. I don't allow my children to treat anyone with any kind of disrespect so I won't allow others to disrespect mine. I have dealt with depression and anxiety in one of my kids and have so far been successful in treating it.

If you want, please feel free to read "About Me" you will understand more about what I've been through. You will also see there that it is legal to give advice or to just listen to those who need someone other than a parent, relative, friend, etc., to talk to without a degree behind my name.

My hope is that they do come to you and that is what I encourage. I hope you will also read my legal disclaimer.

I encourage you to browse through the links to better understand depression and suicide in our youth today.

We as parents need to keep our kids safe. Teens do get depression and it can start as early as elementary school. "We" must look for the symptoms of depression before one of our children is another statistic. With all the teasing/bullying, cliques, guns
and knives, we have to stand up for our children because no one else will.

Depression is a clinical reality. People experiencing depression, whether adult or teenager or child, cannot "just snap out of it" or make themselves well. They need help and treatment.

This is a corporation in the State of Minnesota. It is a legal 501c3 Non Profit Organization.

I do hope you will allow your child to come here for information or a lending ear.

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight. If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy. If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive. If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty. If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient. If a child lives with encouragement he learns to be confident. If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love. If a child lives with recognition, he learns it is good to have a goal. If a child lives with honesty he learns what truth is. If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice. If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and those about him. If a child lives with friendliness, he learns the world is a nice place in which to live to love and be loved.

To all parents who may read this, I urge you to please talk to your kids daily and find out how they are “really” doing. Depression can start at such an early age so we need to watch for signs of it. The statistics are never correct because nobody knows every teen that has committed suicide. However they suffer and they don’t have to suffer alone. We have all seen how bullying can lead to suicide. But that is only one reason. There are so many different reasons why a child would chose to take his or her own life. Maybe your teen is struggling with his/her sexual identity. If so, please help your teen and love them unconditionally.

Teachers have their hands full as it is. They are not supposed to be the ones watching for signs of depression. If they see someone drastically change their behavior, then they may step in. It is our job as parents to keep a very close eye on our kids and never assume “it won’t happen to my child.” It CAN happen to anyone’s child. Nobody should ever feel they need to die to be happy. I’ve been there….I thought that was the only way I could be happy and I thank God I am still alive. I will be on antidepressants for the rest of my life. But that’s OK with me because it enables me to LIVE.

Excellent Video for Parents
To see more go to youtube.com and type in antibullying

Here is a great link from the University of New Hampshire:
**Living with your teen's depression and recognizing the signs**

Help your child with improve their self esteem
Parents please help your child...read this
Please keep your Children safe from Online Predators (Pedophiles)

Questions about Self-Injury
Your child may be using self injury as a way to cope.
They hide it very well so please talk to your kids and check them for any cuts or burns.
It's on the rise.
I personally had never heard of self-injury until I started educating myself on teen depression.

Self-harm becomes today's Anorexia

Myths and facts about cutting and self-harm

Please feel free to email me with questions or comments anytime. julieflynn58@yahoo.com

Thank you and God Bless,
Julie Flynn