Reaching Out & Being There: "You are Not Alone"

There are many contributing factors that play into decision making for some people, especially our vulnerable youth. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) suicide has surpassed car accidents as the No. 1 cause of injury-related deaths; there has been a staggering 30% increase in the number of suicides since 1998. The Local Advisory Council for Behavioral (LAC for short) group is making efforts to be a firm and supportive as well as resourceful element that will help provide answers to those who are feeling uncertain and looking for a listening ear.

The CDC reports that youth ages 15-24 have increased 200% from the mid 1990’s and in 2020, there were 6,062 suicides by people 15-24 years old.

Research has shown that most adolescent suicides occur after school hours and in the teen’s home. Facts also show that within a typical high school classroom, it is likely one boy and two girls have made an attempt at suicide this year.

If you are fortunate, neither you nor your child will face this dilemma and life-alerting changes will not be of concern.

May you be blessed, indeed.

What support will you be, though, when your child comes to you and shares that their friend, relative, sibling, or classmate has or is contemplating suicide as an answer to the problems and issues in their life?

It is a fact that the biggest factor associated with adolescent suicide ideation is parental disconnect – the not feeling validated or accepted by their parents. Yes, even the best of parents are capable of not being perfect in the eyes of our children.

The LAC group meets every second Tuesday of each month and brings to the table a team that is reaching, advocating and making a difference. The meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome to come join in. The group works together for answers for members of the community, young and old, who are struggling with any type of feeling of helplessness, exclusion, loneliness, suicide, emptiness, and the list goes on. The point to remember is Y.A.N.A. – You Are Never Alone! There is always someone who is willing to listen, to talk to, to vent with, to scream with or at and a shoulder for support or a hand to reach down and help you.

Chairperson of the LAC, Janice Reichelt, RN, said, “In my 40 years in the work of the medical field, never have I seen a time when we need help more than ever.”

Counselors Kate Webb and Kelly Cederberg within the Malta School system have been holding informational and educational workshops with various speakers in an effort to bring awareness to the surface that some individuals are needing or wanting help in some manner but perhaps are afraid to reach out. The program is called “SOS (Save Our Students), and that is the goal. There are some that just don’t want to be a bother. Please, don’t make that choice/decision.

The topics addressed have included cyber bullying and sexual exploitation/texting. The trainings are open to the community – we know we are all in this together, it does take a village or small town to raise a kid…even if it isn’t yours. We all have a stake in their future.

Locally, there are other services available as well, including mental health counselor at the hospital, a prevention specialist, and behavioral specialists through Youth Dynamics. Weekly on alternating schedules, help for addiction counseling and mental health comes to the Business Center on Front Street in downtown Malta. Based through the Eastern Montana Community Mental Health Center in Glasgow, they can be reached by calling 406-228-9349.

Those that assist with helping those struggling include the counselors and therapists previously mentioned, and they are joined by the Phillips County Juvenile Probation Office, Phillips County Sheriff’s Sffice, Malta Kids Club, and a network of case managers and family and child services. Please contact any of these named support individuals and offices if you or someone you know would like to visit or help with the goal of helping others.