Signs your Teen may be considering suicide June 19, 2011

So, what are the signs that you’re teen is considering taking their life? Many of the signs and symptoms are very similar to depression, which is why some parents may discount them. They might think it’s just the child’s depression or that they are looking for attention. I can tell you first hand that you really should err on the side of caution with this thought. The consequences of your being wrong may be deadly. True story: A young girl who had been struggling with many issues revealed that she was considering suicide. The family listened but did not attempt to look further as this child was always in trouble and looking for attention. (Invalidation comes in many forms). Later that day they found her (fortunately) as she was trying to hang herself. She is still alive and hopefully getting the help that she needs. But the outcome could have been quite different. The little girl by the way had not even hit her teen years.
It is very easy for us in society today to discount people’s feelings and attribute others actions to many other things thereby releasing ourselves of the burden or responsibility to take action.

So, here are the signs to look for in your children:
• Withdrawal from friends and family and activities that usually love.
• Loss of interest in pleasurable activities
• Change in eating and sleeping patterns
• Frequent complaints of physical symptoms. Emotion related; such as headaches stomach aches or sleeping more than usual.
• Rebellious behavior or running away
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Neglect of personal appearance (or more than usual neglect)
• Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating or decline in the quality of school work
• Marked personality change
• Not tolerating praise or rewards
(From the National Institute of Health)
It is true that many of these signs can be attributed to teenage angst or depression but they are not to be treated lightly. If there are more than a few of these signs exhibited at the same time it would be good to pay closer attention to what is going on in your child’s life. Stress is ubiquitous in our world today and our teens are not immune to it nor do they have the skill set yet to deal effectively with it by themselves.
Further signs that your teen is planning to commit suicide:
• Talk about being a “bad” person or feeling rotten inside
• Verbal hints stating such things as “I won’t be a problem much longer” “Things will change soon” “What’s the point”
• Kids usually start to give away their prized possessions as they will not longer need them. (This is a big red flag folks)
• Signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts)
• Become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression (yes, it could be misread as Bi-polar) but look deeper.
If a child actually says I want to kill myself or they tell you they are going to kill themselves, always, always take the statement seriously. Ideation is the thought process (no plan, just the thought) and many kids will let you know as most do want someone to help them as they can’t help themselves. Respond with compassion, and listen instead of talk. Let them know what they feel is ok, and that you will help them deal with these emotions. Don’t allow your own fears to infiltrate their emotions as it will add to their burden. Definitely let them know you love them and will help them deal with what is bothering them. They need to know that they are more important than anything they do.
If they say they are going to kill themselves, and they have a plan, then you really need to listen to them and make a plan yourself. Again with compassion and love talk and listen to your child. This is not the time to tell them they are being crazy, dumb stupid etc. Nor is it the time to tell them all the reasons they should want to live; they are not there at this point. With kids I have worked with, I listen to them and we talk about the consequences of the actions and then I ask them if they will talk with someone who can help them. I let them know I am there for them and I have them sign a contract stating that they will not hurt themselves and if they feel the feeling again they will contact me or their parents or someone who they trust. Most kids I follow up with a pinky promise. This is sacred to quite a few kids and they usually will not break that promise.
Seeking help is never an easy option as we all still worry too much about the stigma. I think the stigma of your child feeling so alone that they took their life is much worse. Harsh, yes it is….but children should not ever feel this alone; no one should.

The National Institute of Mental Health believes that as many as 25 suicides are attempted for each one that is completed. That means that for every teen suicide you hear of, there are probably at least 25 other attempts made. This still does not cover the teenage suicides and attempts that are never publicized
The two things that cause more death among teenagers are car accidents and homicide (National Institute of Health)
Suicide is preventable; we just have to communicate better with one another. Our children should never have to fear coming to us for help and guidance. Listen to your children, get to really know your children as individuals not just offspring, they have hopes, dreams, desires and fears. They need to be able to talk about all of these emotions in a safe environment.

Teen Suicide: What causes a child to lose hope? June 6, 2011

Suicide, a subject that strikes fear into many people, whispered questions of how and why? Why, being the most important question, one that can’t fully be answered until we are willing to talk about what drives one to take their life. Some have said that suicide is the ultimate cop out; only a coward would take his life leaving a mess of grief in their wake. As a professional who has worked with children for over 10 years, I know this is not the truth. Suicidal tendencies stem from more than one source. Mental illness is one source and a treatable one as well. But in order to treat a disorder, it has to be recognized first. Sadly, our views on mental disorders have not changed much over the years even with Dr. Phil and others normalizing it on TV. It’s still not cool to have issues. Parents cringe at the thought that their child is less than perfect and teens, well, try to tell your friends you have to go see a shrink once a week because you can’t seem to pull it together. Or worse, tell people that you have bi-polar disorder or Schizophrenia. That can be in some circles, social suicide. (Pardon the pun) as people are more apt to judge than support things that they don’t understand. This has to stop. The other path to suicidal thoughts comes from life. People are struggling more with life these days. The stressors seem to be far reaching and teens are no strangers to these feelings of stress, anxiety and overwhelming feelings of inadequacy and invisibility. The combination of which coupled with a society that values perfection and achievement over everything else is a toxic cocktail for anyone to swallow, let alone a teen that has little real life experience. Many teens, who struggle with weight, not fitting in, gender issues, divorce and abuse live life on the fringe watching and wishing for normalcy. Whatever that is. Where do they go for help? Who will listen to them with compassion and understanding? Who will help them process complex emotions without judgment and ridicule? The answer is not so simple. With all the “connectedness” we applaud on the internet, we are not connecting to one another on a deeper level. Kids do turn to friends and strangers on the internet, but one cannot trust the information provided by someone who does not truly know the person they are talking with. This is not to say that it can’t be helpful but it is not the solution. Proactive solutions work best but seem to be the most difficult to enact. It requires forethought, open communication (without judgment) and the desire to listen and allow people to be who they are. Next: Red flags: Suicide – Ideation or planned action

Teen Suicide: How well do you know your child’s emotional health? May 30, 2011

Two teenagers within weeks of each other took their lives thereby shaking the communities they live in and devastating their families. Both teens were bright, well liked and involved with friends and life. So why then did they take their lives? Why did not someone seen the hidden pain that drove them to take such a precious gift and cut short what could have been a wonderful life?
According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, teen suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds and the 6th among 5-14 year olds. How sad to see such sobering statistics for a cause of death that is completely preventable. Are we as adults so stressed by our own lives that we forget that teens experience stressors too? Do we really think they have it better than we did? Or did we forget the confusion, fears, self doubt, uncertainty, bullying, not fitting in, moving due to divorce just to name a few. These feelings are real to children and many parents are attributing the emotions to drama, entitlement and emotional blackmail. Which in some cases may be true as this generation is by far one of the most entitled (so they think) in a long time.
But what about the ones that are really struggling? And I can tell you, they don’t have a sign on their head saying, “I’m troubled, help me”. If fact, most of our kids are trying to navigate the world of emotions on their own. The reasons: parents don’t have time; it’s too embarrassing to admit your afraid; you don’t want to go to a therapist (a sure kiss of death, socially) and you don’t trust anyone to keep your confidence and not make fun of you.
Many people get very uncomfortable when you bring up the subject of suicide. With good cause, it’s connected to death and dying and how many people like to think about death let alone talk about it. But we need to talk about it. Too many teens are taking their lives and it is a tragic loss, not just to the families but to the world. Too many parents don’t want to believe that their children could be hurting that much and instead of dealing with it head on, choose to ignore it and hope it goes away. Perhaps, it is because they don’t have the right information or understanding that their child wanting to take their life is not a condemnation of their parenting skills.
Well, it’s time to get past the feelings of guilt or failure. The only true failure is in not communicating with your children, not listening to them and not trying to understand what their emotional needs and obstacles are. Many parents feel their children don’t want to talk and it may seem that way. However, if Parents feel their children don’t want to talk and it may seem that way, especially during the tween and teen years. However, if your start when they are young by listening to them and letting them learn that you will be there for them without jumping to judgment you will be surprised by how much they will talk to you. The connections and values you instill in your child when they are younger will make the later years much easier to deal with.

Next: Know the signs of suicide

Deceptively Delicious May 27, 2011

Hiding veggies never tasted so good

Can one book get your kids to eat their vegetables without all the whining and crying? Yes it can. Jessica Seinfeld, yes, Jerry Seinfeld’s, wife wrote this cookbook after struggling with her own three children over getting them to eat more vegetables. She devised ways of incorporating vegetables into everyday favorites by pureeing the veggies and adding it to the dishes and the kids were none the wiser. The kids ate the foods they love, mom got peace of mind, knowing that the kids were getting their vegetables.
The book has some of the age old favorites like macaroni and cheese which has added cauliflower in the cheese sauce. And frankly, cauliflower is just one of those vegetables that may be best served this way. Then there is the brownie’s; with carrots and spinach that give a yummy treat a much appreciated boost (by mom’s anyway) of nutrients. Imagine the feeling of knowing you can give your child the tasty treats they love without the guilt or worry that it’s not healthy.
The recipes are simple and easy to follow which is a necessary component for busy parents these days. One mom purees the vegetables ahead of time and stores them in plastic baggies so she can just drop them in the recipes as needed. Dinner time can be fun again, no fighting to get the kids to eat good food, they can
eat what they love and still get their nutrients. They don’t need to know why it tastes so good.
While in the long run, instilling good eating habits is what we all strive for as moms. At least till that time comes, you can relax in knowing that with a little delicious deception, your kids will be eating healthier, even if they don’t know it.

The Ubiquitous nature of Stress! April 20, 2011

What stresses parents out the most? For that matter, what stresses everyone out the most? We tend to worry about the big stuff, but it really is the little things that whittle away at our resolve.
There are major stressors that have been shown to have an effect on our health and psyche but we tend to negate the small stuff. Now we all know the book, “Don’t sweat the small stuff” and it is good advice, however, the small things that continue to hammer at us day after day are the things that chip away at our armor.
When you think about the things that wreak the most havoc (outside of natural disasters) think small: viruses, bacteria can devastate a person’s health and they can’t even be seen with the naked eye. In the work place, it’s not always the big problems that cause people to go postal, it’s the daily grind of not being heard, not having the correct tools to do the job, expectations that cannot logically met that cause most workers to crumble under the unrelenting pressure.
It’s not the different for parents. When big issues arise, parents rise to the occasion, assess the situation and take action. A common problem has a common solution. But what of the small daily occurrences that are not common, or don’t seem so and do not succumb to a parents attempts to eradicate said problem. What does one do when they run out of options and don’t feel comfortable seeking help from others due to a myriad of reasons: judgment, ridicule, persecution and embarrassment to name a few. Where do parents go to find solutions that are served up with compassion, understanding and workable solutions? That is the $64,000.00 question.
It is my hope that this site will be a place to start to look for answers to those questions that are not always easy to ask of family and friends.
So, what are some of the biggest stressors of parenting? Discipline? Consistency? Losing intimate time with your partner? Losing time for yourself? Trying to be the perfect parent when you just are not feeling the love?

Slow Dance – a timeless poem for everyone, everywhere March 8, 2011

This blog is dedicated to the Miller and Powell families who lost a most precious gift last month and to the families and friends of all cherished youth who are taken too soon from this life.
My grandfather always said you should never go to bed angry and to forgive and let things go. I add to that to always remember to let your kids know how much you love them. And not just by words, but by deeds. No matter what, I told my son I loved him as he left to go spend half the week at his fathers’. Even when I was angry with him or we had been in a fight, I always told him that I loved him and he was the best part of me and his dad. So, tell those you love how special they are now. Buy flowers and give time while they are here, not after they are gone and cannot truly appreciate them.

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a
butterfly’s erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the
fading night?

You better slow down.

Don’t
dance so
fast.

Time is short.
The music won’t last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask How are you?
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?

You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.
The music won’t last.

Ever told your child,
We’ll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see
his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say,
‘Hi’

You’d
better slow down.
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short.
The music won’t last..

When you run
so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry
through your day,
It is like an unopened
gift….Thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.Song

The power in facing your fears November 30, 2010

I have always been like quite few of us in that going to the Doctor’s is not on the top of my favorite ways to spend part of my day. Waiting for what seems an eternity for the Doctor to see you and then anxiety of waiting on the diagnosis. I have been lucky to have many good Doctor’s in my life, some for quite a number of years. My Dentist, whom I adore, has been taking care of my teeth since I was eight years old. My first OBGYN also delivered my son; 16 years after we first met. I realize I have been lucky to have such long standing relationship with my healthcare providers, so I know that one can build relationships with their doctor’s and everyone should. After all, your health is probably one of the most important components of a happy and long life. I want to live so long that I am begging to die.
How many people do you know who are afraid to go to the Dentist or the Doctor because they are afraid of what they might hear? I have been known to put things on the back burner do to not wanting to hear any bad news. However, I have been diligent about my yearly Mammogram since I turned 39 and got my baseline pictures done. Every year, there was always the old fears and anxiety about how the Mammogram would turn out. You know the feeling, waiting for the results, hoping all would be clear, no one saying the one word we all fear: Cancer.
Well, this past month, I was at the John Muir Woman’s Health Center doing my usual follow up sonogram for a cyst that my doctor had been keeping an eye on for the past two years. I would go every six months to check on its progress. Each time, things were fine so when I went in this last time, I was actually at ease thinking it’s just an annoying factor in my life; go and be done with it for another 6 months. Boobs, a gift and a curse.
So, I go through the procedure that had become all too familiar except for one difference: This time the Radiologist comes in and says they do to send me for a biopsy. The cyst is fine, but they have found calcifications in my left breast. Having no idea what that meant but feeling it was not such a good thing I walked to my car with all sorts of fears running through my head. Biopsy might possibly be the second most frightening word to hear coming from your doctor for it means there may be something wrong. Armed with pamphlets and the silence of my own thoughts I headed to work. The few friends that I told said “don’t worry, they are usually nothing”. Yet, something inside of me, said: not this time.
The biopsy itself was not so bad, but the table one has to lie on was definitely designed by a man. No woman would subject another woman to such an uncomfortable contraption. Then comes more waiting. This is too much time spent waiting in this life: do you ever stop to think about that? So, the call finally comes from my doctor on Monday morning. Then I hear the three words one hopes to never hear: you have cancer. Not quite the same fuzzy feeling you get as “you’ve got mail”. You continue to listen to the words, but your thoughts are swirling in your head, every different scenario flashes before you as you try to stay focused on what the doctor is saying.
Fortunately for me, it was one of the least aggressive forms of cancer and it was caught early, like really early (Stage 0). My doctor told me to hold onto the fact that there is a 99% survival rate. Damm the 1% possibility. But I kept those words in my head for the next two weeks while I waited to see the doctor who would be my surgeon.
I had just joined a club, one with millions of members who have dealt with far more difficult circumstances than my own. Women whose strength and steadfast determination to not let Cancer take her away from her family, friends and the life she has built. It is one thing to know people who have battled cancer and won and missing those loved ones who lost their battles, but it is another thing to face the reality that it is living and growing inside of you….no matter how small.
Fast forward, the surgery has been done and it was far easier than I would have expected. However, the idea of cutting out a part of your body which is so much a part of how you view yourself as a woman as do others is not an easy thing to deal with. But, as most women learn, we are more than the sum of our parts, no matter what society tells us. The small scar that I will have will serve to remind me to continue to take care of my health, to value myself; Mind, body and soul and to strive to face all the fears that have kept me from doing the things that I have put off till tomorrow.
Cancer is a strong reminder that while we are fallible, we are resilient and fear is just the universe telling you something is wrong and to take care of it. I have definitely learned over the past few months that there is greater strength and a unique calmness in facing those fears, asking for help from friends and dealing with things head on.
So, Love your kids, and truly truly Take Care of Yourself. Your kids need you, your family and friends need you and the world is a better place because you are here. Don’t wait for a reason to tell the people you care about that you love them.
Peace, love and happiness.

Taking Care of Yourself in a busy world October 29, 2010

In order to be at our best for our children, we have to be at our best for ourselves. You can’t take care of anyone else if you don’t take care of yourself. In an airplane, they tell you; if there is trouble and the oxygen masks drop down from above, put yours on first, then your children. You’re no good to your children if you are not there to guide them and help them learn about life. This is a good lesson for parenting: Put your best self forward and your children will have a great role model of how to care for themselves and others.
So, in a busy world, how can you fit in time for all the things you need to do? Exercise is one of the most important components of health and yet it becomes the first thing to get crossed off the list. However, one does not need to go to the gym or always be outside to exercise these days; though I do enjoy an early morning run or ride when the rest the world is still awakening and the streets are quiet and the first glimmer of light from the upcoming sunrise is peaking over the Mt. Diablo. For me, it can be the most peaceful time of the day. A great way to get connected to yourself.
But if that is not possible, then might I suggest Exercise TV. It is an entire channel devoted to various work outs and fitness experts who there to help you get fit at home. It is usually listed within the “on demand” section of the TV channels. You have at your fingertips, top fitness instructors like Jillian Michaels and Jackie Warner. The workouts are listed by type (cardio, kickboxing, etc) and some by instructors. So whatever you’re looking for, it’s sure to be there, right in your living room.
I used to go to the gym and take my son with me, but as he got older and began to have more activities afterschool, getting to the gym began to take a back seat to baseball, homework and other functions. But I needed to exercise; it is my stress release, my alone time.
So, I am a morning person, waking at 5:00 am without an alarm clock is easy for me. But I couldn’t go to the gym and leave my child home alone so I began to use the exercise channel as a supplement to the gym. It was great! I could go to my living room, work out in my pj’s if I wanted to and get a good workout right in my home. It is fun to check out all the various fitness instructors and classes and if you really like one, you can buy the DVD. Some of the classes do change out or go away, but they are always replaced with another equally fun and challenging program. My favorite workout right now is 10 pound slim down because is about basics and you can adjust the resistance you use in your workout and it’s a great cardio workout too. Fitness 360 is another good one as it is geared to getting the most out of a workout in twenty minutes: perfect for those days when time is scare but you still want to get in some fitness. I like to find three 20 minute workouts for a varied hour long workout that keeps me from getting bored.
I know some of you are thinking; I don’t want to get up early. But I assure you if you give it two weeks, start slow with 20-30 minutes of exercise in the morning, you will find that it becomes the best part of your day, you have more energy, sleep better and you’re not having to worry about fitting the gym into your schedule in the afternoon. One less thing to worry about, how cool is that?
Note: some people choose to work out on an empty stomach. This is up to you and I would check with your doctor or fitness expert on how to approach the morning workout. A piece of toast or a banana is a good fuel for the morning workout and easy to maintain. After two weeks, you may find yourself asking: why did I not do this sooner.

Savoring the moments – a new perspective October 15, 2010

A few weeks back one of my clients told me she was going in for a possible complete hysterectomy. She sensed something was amiss and went to the doctors and they discovered cancerous cells. They were going to do some exploratory surgery and then take one of two options based on what they found. We both sat there looking at each other half smiling, half stunned. The words hung in the air with a weight that I have felt all too often in the past two months. This woman who I have had the honor to know and work with for ten years; who has taught me much about life and faith and perseverance was facing the infamous “C” word. Her response to the situation was; I don’t have time for this. I have children who need me, things to take care of, and a life to complete. As I sat across from her similar thoughts were racing through my mind; not her, not this woman who has done so much, who shares so much love for her children and the world.
I sat back and looked at her and said, ‘I am going to say to you the words you have said to me over the past 10 years; what is the lesson here? She smiled knowingly as she has said these very words to me many times over the years. As I left the home, my thoughts raced, not this woman, not now. How many people experience these moments in their lives. How many people come face to face with mortality and the feeling that we are really not in control of much in this life except how we react to circumstances beyond our control.
I thought of the children and how much their lives would change. I then said “No”! Everything will be ok. It just has to be.
A week later I am at the doctor’s office for a follow-up mammogram. I had been plagued by cysts and this was a follow up exam to check on their progression. The cysts were fine, but there were calcifications, something I had never heard before. Then came the words no one wishes to hear: biopsy. I sat frozen; it was one thing to hear about a friend but another to hear the words spoken about you. I listened to the doctor only half hearing what he said: usually nothing, but we can’t be sure unless we do a biopsy.
I walked out of the office; thinking of my son and for a moment went to that place of how I would tell him the news if it turns out to be something …..More. My heart leapt to my throat and I struggled to push down the negative images of a life cut short by one of the cruelest of diseases known to mankind. Robber of time, of security and moments lost to the past. My own sister-in-law lost her battle with cancer the same day I found out I was pregnant with my son. It was truly a bittersweet moment when I had to tell her twelve year old son that his mother was gone.
I shook myself and said “No”! Then I said to myself; what is the lesson to be learned here? I have been trying to accomplish much, deal with much and stretching myself too thin. Perhaps, it was life’s way of saying taking a break, step back and look at the bigger picture and take stock of what is truly important in this life. Time: It is really everything. Time with friends, with family, your babies. We spend time building a career, a life, a safe place for our children. There never seems to be enough time, the right time or it’s the wrong time. We waste time on all the wrong things, fritter it away, try to recapture it, try to rewrite the story of time or try to forget time.
When one is confronted by the “C” word, time stands still. But only for a moment, and then there is a torrent of emotions that surges upon you regarding the “time” of your life. Was it well spent? Was it purposeful? Did you do everything you were supposed to do? Did you teach your children well, will they be able to function on their own? The moment you hear those words, it’s as if for a moment, everything just stops….you are all alone in the quiet of your thoughts, hopes, dreams, losses and regrets and of course the happy moments too. At that moment, I felt a kindred connection with my client; I now knew on an intimate level the fears that coursed through her mind. How at that moment, the need for genuine human contact far outweighed anything else in this world. That for everything that I achieved, what made it meaningful was the affect it had on others; whether it be my son, my families, my friends, and even strangers in need.
Life is but a series of moments, there is no guarantee that they will all be happy or easy or wonderful. But they are not all sad, or challenging or horrible either. It becomes about perspective and looking for the lessons and learning to go deeper and appreciate the moments you share with those you love, your children especially, for they grow up too soon. It’s also about all the important relationships in your life, the ones based on love respect, honor and commitment. It’s about people and compassion and understanding that we all walk the same path, but at different speeds, with different perspectives and with different burdens….but we are all on the same path and none of us know when we will be called away. So, make the most of every day, for each one is truly a gift to oneself and to those in your life who depend on you and love you.

Bullying October 12, 2010

You read about it in the paper, you thank God it’s not your kids; being the victim or the perpetrator. But are you sure? Do you really know what goes on while your child is away from home each day? I do not ask the question to put fear in your hearts but to get you to think about what goes on in our schools each and every day. Bullying we see in the news is the extreme cases that “grab” the spotlight due to their shocking and frightening magnitude. But remember, as it takes time for water to boil, so too does it take time to break a child’s spirit.
Bullying is more prevalent than most parents know. But where do bully’s come from? Are the “bad seed” from the wrong side of town, some cruel individual who must not have been in line when they handed out hearts and souls? More than likely, they are not. Bully’s are not born, they are molded; by circumstance, nature and nurture, or lack of it.
Children live what they learn (I’m sure she have seen or heard of the book) If they live with criticism, they will criticize. If they live with anger, they will be angry. If they live with ridicule and cruelty, they will ridicule and be cruel. These circumstances arise across all socioeconomic spheres, not just low-income homes with crack addict parents.
While there are many reasons for bullying, one of the underlying traits of a bully is low self-esteem. These people don’t feel good about themselves and therefore seek to make themselves feel better by making other’s feel bad. It’s the I’m nothing therefore; I will seek to make you feel less than me.
Another factor is their low self –esteem is about feeling weak, due to experiencing some form of domestic violence at home that may be directed at themselves or someone they care about but they feel they can’t do anything to stop it. They seek to invoke fear in others perceived weaker than them to feel better about not being able to be strong at home.
I am going to really simplify this here and hope for some discussion. When people feel bad about themselves or their circumstances, some resort to one of two options or both. They take it out on others by trying to blame others for their predicament, or punishing others for their unhappiness. (bullying) There is the if I can’t have what you have; I will take it from you or hurt you to make myself feel better. The other option is those who take their lives. I am not sure what the experts would say about what steers people to one path or the other, but I know from experience that when people feel they have no support, no safe place to turn and they have not been taught how to cope with life, they will fall into potentially destructive patterns; one’s that we as a society need to address.
So, tomorrow’s post will look at what the solutions are both at home and in the schools. I am looking for your thoughts on this. If you think it doesn’t affect you, think again.