The topic of Tuesday’s show, Surviving the Suicide of a Child, was quite difficult, but we hope it may prevent the tragic loss of another life by suicide. HealthyPlace.com Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, provided some reasons why children and teens might choose to die by suicide:
• Depression
• Loss of relationship
• Drug and alcohol abuse

While these are only a few of the many reasons out there, Dr. Croft concluded that the end result causes pain, suffering and guilt for those loved ones left behind (Parents Surviving the Suicide of Their Child).

My Son's Suicide: A Personal Story

Our guest, Elaine, can attest to the reasons given by Dr. Croft. Her son Mark, chose to take his life 11 years ago when he was just 17. Between his unstable relationship with his biological father, trouble with this girlfriend, and moving around with family, life seemed to be too much for Mark to bear (Elaine's Blog).

Elaine relived that fateful day and told us that Mark's behavior did not seem the same. Looking back, she recounts how her son made an effort to spend quality family time…maybe a sign that he had already made that painful choice to die by suicide.

The Pain of Suicide for Those Left Behind

Even though it has been 11 years since she lost her son, the pain remains as if it were the day after. "An empty hole will always be in my heart," laments Elaine. She copes by helping others deal with their own loss. She now knows that life is too short to take for granted and hugs everyone she comes in contact with, not knowing if she will ever see them again.

Signs of Suicidal Thinking

Unfortunately for those suffering like Elaine and her family, it’s too late. To avoid this pain and premature loss, Dr. Croft suggested that parents look for these warning signs of suicidal thinking in their child:

• Depressed mood
• Not enjoying things anymore such as friends, TV, games, studying, etc.
• Change in sleep habits
• Change in appetite
• Change in ability to concentrate
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Decreased energy
• Talking about suicide

The last sign, talking about suicide, should be taken the most seriously. When your child experiences a loss such as breaking up with their boyfriend or girlfriend, the best thing you can do is talk them. Dr. Croft reminds us that parents carry a great deal of wisdom that should be shared with your child. Another important action is to empathize and acknowledge their pain. Sometimes brushing off the issue can result in tragedy--and then its too late.

The video interview with Cheryl is no longer available. I hope the following TEDxHelena talk How can we prevent childhood suicide? with Jenny Buscher will help you.

You can also find detailed information on suicide and suicide support here. At Healthyplace.com, we want to provide you with as much trusted information as possible to help you or your family members get through your difficult time.

Join us next Tuesday evening (5:30p PT, 7:30 CT, 8:30 ET) as we talk about sexual addiction.

Where do you turn? How do you cope when your child commits suicide?

The transformation from childhood into teenage years should be a memorable one. The progression from grade school to middle school, then to high school brings special moments such as school dances, track meets and new friends. However, some kids have different experiences. Pain from rejection, bullying, and disappointments consume some children and cause them to end their lives by suicide.

Child and Teen Suicide Prevention

While this is very extreme and quite tragic, there is a hopeful side. Most children or teens who die by suicide often suffer from a treatable disorder, such as depression (symptoms of depression in children).

On Tuesday’s HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show, we'll delve into the subject of child suicide and how parents cope with the loss of their child.

Our guest, Elaine Davison, will take us through the story of losing her 17-year old son to suicide, and how she and her family are coping today without him. Join us as Elaine shares how her son dealt with rejection and disappointment in his life and how ultimately, he failed to get the necessary help and treatment that may have saved his life.

As always, HealthyPlace Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft and our guest, Elaine, will be here to answer any questions you have on surviving this tragedy. We'll also give you the warning signs of child depression and suicide to look out for in your own children. (There are also many articles available on HealthyPlace on child and teenage suicide.)

You can watch the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show live on our website every Tuesday evening at 5:30p PST, 7:30 CST, 8:30 EST. See you then.

Living with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can cause a sufferer a lot of agony. HealthyPlace Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, says OCD sufferers are paralyzed by unwanted thoughts, doubt, and fear. It’s these irrational thoughts, reports Dr. Croft, that cause repetitive actions such as checking, counting, or washing hands, just to bring them to what they feel is a "safe" place.

The true inspiration of Tuesday’s show was our guest, James Callner. He took us through his journey with OCD from the very beginning, at age 29. Now in his late fifties, he still suffers from OCD, but is proud to say that he lives in a high-functioning state.

Popcorn and Walking?

Two simple things in life that people normally enjoy and may also take for granted, but for James, they are reminders that OCD will not take over his life.

In his early years with the disorder, James found comfort in his psychiatrist who became his champion. He challenged James to take risks and to have trust. It was these two things that allowed James to participate in sharing popcorn out of the same bowl with friends; something he would never think of doing. The fear of contamination was too much for him to handle, but he took a chance and had a small kernel of popcorn and chewed it very fast. To his surprise, he didn’t die! Taking risks made him feel good.

Although he has small victories, he still experiences anxiety and has trouble facing the day. When James is having one of those days and can’t get out of bed, the word “walk” comes to mind. That’s right, taking one step at a time, one foot in front of the other until you get to the place you need to be to start your day. He promises it will get better and you will eventually get faster at it.

During the show, James mentioned several different types of therapy that can help manage OCD symptoms. He found great success with his psychiatrist, medication and through a Codependents Anonymous 12-step program. For a more detailed look into his inspirational recovery, visit his website, Awareness Foundation: OCD and Related Disorders. As we mentioned on the show, you can view one of Mr. Callner’s films on OCD titled “The Risk” in HealthyPlace.com OCD Center.

You may just find a champion in James Callner.

The video interview of Mr. Callner is no longer available. Here's one of his YouTube videos about the causes of OCD.