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Education Matters’ 100th episode – How do we keep our children safe?

Topic:  How Do We Keep Our Children Safe?

The rate of teen suicide in North Carolina has doubled in the last 10 years. Self-harm among 10- to 14-year-old girls in the U.S. has nearly tripled since 2009. Nearly one in seven U.S. children and adolescents has a mental health condition and half go untreated. This week we explore this often difficult topic with a panel of experts to try to understand the real facts and where to go from here. We’ll also meet a Wake County mother who lived through the unthinkable when her middle school age son took his own life. This special 100th episode panel discussion was recorded with a live studio audience.

Guests include:

Dr. Carrie Brown, Chief Medical Officer for Behavioral Health & IDD, NC Dept. of Health & Human Services

Dr. Mitch Prinstein, Director of Graduate Studies, UNC-Chapel Hill and author of “Popular: The Power of Likability in a Status-Obsessed World”

Shannon McDonald, Wake County parent

Symone Kiddoo, School Social Worker, Durham Public Schools

Resources

Interview Segments

Need help? National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

NC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
http://www.nchealthyschools.org/data/yrbs/

NC Suicide Prevention Resource Center
https://www.sprc.org/states/north-carolina

NC DHHS Suicide Data
https://www.injuryfreenc.ncdhhs.gov/DataSurveillance/SuicideData.htm

Reach Out: Ways To Help A Loved One At Risk Of Suicide
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/20/707686101/reach-out-ways-to-help-a-loved-one-at-risk-of-suicide

Understanding Self Harm
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Related-Conditions/Self-harm

https://www.crisistextline.org/fast-facts/self-harm

http://teenmentalhealth.org/understanding-self-injury-self-harm/

Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide
http://reportingonsuicide.org/recommendations/ 

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Keith Poston

Keith Poston is the president and executive director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina.