Megan LaPlante, A Monroe High School student (at right) speaks during the June 23 Issues That Matter event at Snohomish Library. LaPlante, who is Miss Washington High School America 2016, has made teen suicide awareness and prevention part of her platform. Listening are fellow panelists Rena Fitzgerald, manager of the Crisis Chat line run by Volunteers of America Western Washington, and Dr. Gary Goldbaum, Health Officer and Director of the Snohomish Health District. Photo gallery #snoisleITM
Issues That Matter forums
The remaining three Issues That Matter events on teen suicide are scheduled for:
- July 7, Stanwood Camano Community Resource Center, 9612 271st St. NW, Stanwood
- July 13, Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo
- July 21, Oak Harbor Library, 1000 SE Regatta Dr., Oak Harbor
An emotional and hopefully helpful evening unfolded during Sno-Isle Libraries’ “Issues That Matter” event at Snohomish Library.
The June 23 event was the first of four public forums about the causes, scope and prevention of teen suicide in Snohomish and Island counties. Local health officials have noted an increase in teen suicides over the past several years. The Issues That Matter initiative is designed to encourage conversations on topics that impact the community.
“Suicide affects all ages and entire communities,” said forum panelist Dr. Gary Goldbaum, Health Officer and Director of the Snohomish Health District. “Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the suicide rate in Snohomish County is higher than the national average.”
A study done by the health district in 2014 showed that 20 percent of high school students in Snohomish County consider suicide.
Goldbaum said the public-health approach to suicide is not blaming or shaming. “Suicide is not inevitable,” he said. “We can, we will prevent suicides.”
Rena Fitzgerald, manager of the Crisis Chat line run by Volunteers of America Western Washington in Everett, debunked the idea that talking about suicide makes people suicidal. Indeed, she said, the opposite is true.
“We think people don’t talk about it, but most people do talk about it,” Fitzgerald told the capacity audience in the library's meeting room. “They say, ‘I can’t do this anymore’ or I’ve figured out a solution.’ You don’t have to be a mental-health professional to help someone. Call the crisis line for advice.”
Megan LaPlante brought a personal perspective to the panel.
LaPlante, a sophomore-to-be at Monroe High School, became emotional as she recounted the suicide of a friend. LaPlante, who is Miss Washington High School America 2016, has made teen suicide awareness and prevention part of her platform. LaPlante showed a video from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) called “Talk Saves Lives.”
Audience members also became emotional as they stood to share their stories. One mother asked what can be done so, "We don't have another funeral in Marysville.” Another tearful mother said: “I lost my son last year; he wasn't quite a teen yet. I wish I had known warning signs.”
Fitzgerald noted there will be an Out of the Darkness community walk on Oct. 15 at Legion Park in Everett. Sponsored by the AFSP, the walks are intended to raise awareness and funds to help the organizations work toward its goals.
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