Community should speak to teens in their own language
By BRENDA SCHORY - bschory@kcchronicle.com
ST. CHARLES – Adults trying to get information about suicide prevention to teens is like sending a message in Old French to Martians who speak Egyptian.
Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles are full of resources for mental health services – not the least of which is Suicide Prevention Services itself, based in Batavia. Yet St. Charles teens thought those services were not available to them, as though some invisible line stopped at the border.
A panel of local community members tackled that problem at the third of four Suicide Prevention Summit meetings sponsored by District 303. The district called for the meetings after six student suicides in seven years.
Panelist Justin Fitzsimmons from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office suggested a version of when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
"Whatever method of communication they're using – that's what you use," Fizsimmons said. "If you want to wake your child up, send him a text message. First, they'll have to pick themselves up – but they'll probably respond to you. And so that can be the opening to get this information to them."
Alison Johnsen, a therapist with Central DuPage Hospital Behavioral Health, suggested going where the kids go to distribute information about local resources to help with depression and suicide.
"Where do they go?" Johnsen said. "They go to the McDonald's drive-through. They go to the Burger King drive-through. They go to the movie theater. ... They go to all these stores. All right, what if we go where they are and ask these stores to put fliers in their bags? So they have no choice but to take it."
Bill Nesbit, chairman of the St. Charles Ministerial Association and rector at St. Charles Episcopal Church, said one message to get out to youth is that church pastors are resources when dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts.
"Clergy are not trained mental health professionals, but they are trained at triage," Nesbit said. "We're going to get you to the right place. You're on the edge? Call."
St. John Neumann Catholic Church Youth Pastor Bill Crow said he would invite Stephanie Weber, director of Suicide Prevention Services, to speak to youth and adults at the church.
If you go:
What: Fourth session of the District 303 Summit on Suicide Prevention. Open to all, registration requested but not required online at www.d303.org
When: 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Summit Room at Charlestowne Mall, 3102 E. Main St., St. Charles, lower level entrance by the theaters
Why: To arrive at a comprehensive suicide awareness and prevention plan for the district and the community
Who: Panel discussion by family members who have lost someone to suicide
St. Charles Police Chief Jim Lamkin said all the city's police officers are trained to recognize mental health issues. Lamkin said the department could also distribute the list of resources when officers have contact with youth during the summer.
"I won't say we'll fill the in gap completely with the schools, but we come in contact with a lot of young people in different situations," Lamkin said.
