In my community, we recently lost another teen to suicide. He was a successful, well liked kid from a great family. We can only conjecture about what happens when a teen feels so overwhelmed that they take such drastic measures. We do the best we can as parents, friends and counselors to help kids through times that seem beyond what they can bear.

Do you know any teens who are less than thrilled about school? Sometimes, we are lucky and kids do tell us when they are unhappy. They may say it clearly or we may see it in the way they drag themselves through their week. Their eating habits or hygiene may change. They may have “health problems”, anxiety or lethargy. I became an expert on this topic when I was in high school myself. For me, school was a miserable five days between the weekends, when I got to see my friends in a neighboring town. Back when I went to school my family had a “tough it out” attitude. If there were options, we didn’t know about them.

Well, being a parent who believes in mutual respect and honest communication, this sort of bravery didn’t work well for me. Thus began my role as a parent who suggested my son drop out of high school!

Yes, you heard me right. Don’t dismiss this article yet, though.

I am a reputable therapist with Masters Degrees in Education and Counseling. I just knew and continue to trust that if a kid is miserable in school, there must be a way to help make things better for them.

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