Grieving death due to suicide

Here are the statistics. We’ve lost three local children to suicide in the last year. In the U.S. it’s the second leading cause of death in 15 to 24-year olds and the third leading cause of death in 10 to 14-year olds. For every suicide there are at least 25 attempts.

Tuesday's newspaper had an article about the Lake Pend Oreille School District’s crisis response plan and the superintendent’s goal of creating a task force focused on suicide and mental health prevention and education. I applaud Shawn Woodward’s leadership.

A booklet titled “SOS, A Handbook for Survivors of Suicide by Jeffrey Jackson published by the American Association of Suicidology (I had never heard of them either) states that death by suicide is different than death by any other circumstance.

For the rest of the story, see the print edition of the Bonner County Daily Bee or subscribe to our e-edition.