Quad City Documentary On Teen Suicide/Depression Debuts Tonight

It's a sensitive topic that demands our attention in and around the Quad Cities.

Teen suicide and depression effects everyone. It most greatly and deeply has it's impact on the family, friends and loved ones but even today, as I was writing this, my oldest daughter asked me to come in her room so we could talk.

She had no idea what I was blogging about. I had no idea what she was about to tell me. The first thing she said is 'I talked with my teacher in class today about a teen who committed suicide recently. It was so sad, Mom! My teacher knew this student. Her family was close with his. Her kid played sports with him. I almost cried in class.'

I learned and was thankful for her teacher opening the conversation to students about this topic. A fellow teen she did not even know, left a devastating and unforgettable mark on the heart of my caring daughter. I feel horribly for the family of this child. I find myself asking 'If these kids only knew that people cared. If they only knew there is always another way to handle the hard times.'

How timely, that I can now point her and you, in the direction of a film airing tonight on Iowa Public Broadcasting Station, WQPT in the Quad Cities. It's called 'If You Only Knew: The Journey through Teen Depression and Suicide' and airs at 8 p.m. It's produced by Mickle Communications, a marketing and video production company in Davenport, IA. You may recognize the name. President, Mike Mickle, used to be a local news anchor before he quit and teamed up with his wife to create the local, thriving magazine, Quad City Family Focus. Mike has been a staple in the the Quad City community and has begun making documentaries to shed light on the toughest issues we face in our community today.

Accoring to QCOnline.com,

"Suicide, which took 42,773 lives in the U.S. in 2014, (more than homicide) is the third-leading cause of death for teenagers, ages 12 to 18, according to HealthResearchFunding.org.

In 2014, 2,259 young Americans ages 10 to 19 killed themselves, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Healthychildren.org reports that at least 90 percent of teens who commit suicide have some type of pre-existing condition, such as depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol abuse, or a behavior problem. They may also have problems at school or with friends or family."

“The documentary will explore the many reasons behind teen suicide,” Mr. Mickle said, “so families, schools and even workplaces can be aware of the warning signs. Like any problem, the more people know about it, the more they can do to prevent it.”

Join Mike Mickle today during  the 12 p.m. lunch hour with me on 104.9 The Hawk to discuss the documentary that airs tonight and how we can get on board to raise awareness and prevention.