Community Case: Mental HealthCase Part 1

Community Case: Mental HealthCase Part 1
Seventeen-year-old Justin Sutton took his own life last night with a handgun owned by his parents. Recently, several of his peers had posted photographs and demeaning comments about him on social media, suggesting that Justin was gay. This was only the most recent incident in a long history of bullying and depression experienced by Justin, who had been meeting with his guidance counselor regularly. The counselor had referred him for mental health services, and he’d been waiting for his first appointment.

• What risk factors are commonly associated with teen suicide? Which risk factors are observed in Justin’s​​​​​​​ situation?
• Think of your high school days or the community where you grew up (if you are older, you could consider the experience of your children). What do you remember about classmates with severe depression or anxiety and suicidal tendencies? What kind of supports were available in your school or community? To what extent was the issue of teen depression and teen suicide discussed in your school or community?