"We want to get the message out to kids and families to start talking about child safety and well-being, and encourage families to talk"

CBC reports:
(Canada) Suicide is the second-leading cause of preventable death for British Columbia children between 12 and 18, a new study of youth suicide. The B.C. Coroners Service report said 81 children killed themselves between 2003 and 2007, and 70 per cent of them had shown signs of suicidal behaviour and reached out to someone for help. "Parents and family members told us that in hindsight they noticed changes in behaviour — kids withdrawing, changing their patterns, neglecting their personal hygiene," said Kellie Kilpatrick, director of the Coroners Service's child death review unit. "And they put it down to normal adolescent angst, which it may very well be, but I think these children and youth deaths have shown us we have to pay attention, we have to listen." READ MORE

The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. If you or a friend are feeling lost or alone call The Trevor Helpline (866-488-7386). There is hope, there is help... here.

Which kids are at risk for suicide?
It can be hard to remember how it felt to be a teen, caught in that gray area between childhood and adulthood. Sure, it's a time of tremendous possibility but it can also be a period of great confusion and anxiety. There's pressure to fit in socially, to perform academically, and to act responsibly. There's the awakening of sexual feelings, a growing self-identity, and a need for autonomy that often conflicts with the rules and expectations set by others. Read about the factors that increase the risk of suicide among teens here.