Did you know that 1 in 5 children and teenagers have a mental illness and that 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses show signs by age 14 and 75% by age 24? If left untreated, there is a very high likelihood of high school dropout, being bullied, engaging in risky behaviours/substance abuse, joining a gang, committing a crime, becoming a bully, unemployment, suicide and death.
Did you know that today and everyday in the USA, 16 teenagers will die by suicide and over 4000 students will attempt to end their lives by suicide. The suicide rate for children/teenagers has doubled in the past 10 years and suicide is now the 2nd leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 24 years. Yes, you read it correctly, children as young as 5 years old and ending their life by suicide. The main reasons are because of mental illness esp. depression, abuse, and bullying.
Did you know that 1 in 3 students are bullied every single day, and today, 160,000 students will miss school for fear of being bullied. Repeated bullying greatly impacts brain development and can impede a student’s learning, stress response and ability to navigate the world. Bulling can also result in a student developing a mental illness, self-harming, dropping out of school, turning to drugs/alcohol, becoming a bully and engaging in violent revenge behaviour (school shootings).
To all the parents, guardians, grandparents, teachers, can you say with absolute certainty that your child, grandchild, student is not being bullied, or has a mental illness, or has suicidal thoughts?
Know the signs, know the facts, know how to support and help our kids before it is too late. It’s time to engage, educate and empower the younger generation. Together, we can make a difference. I can help.
Please check out the services and supports I offer or contact my publicist Tiffynie at aspenbroadcastingt@gmail.com
As a parent I would like to thank Tracey for her support to discuss how to proceed with our son who clearly suffers a depression. In contrast with other counsellors she helped our son but also ourselves to clarify better what was going on with him, what would be the sequence of treatments, my role as parent, define steps and act as a sounding board for my concerns. In a challenging world having someone to guide ourselves is extremely important and though we still have ways to go Tracey has made a huge difference. Thanks, so much Tracey.
Richard