Goshen schools to talk suicide prevention

GOSHEN — Did you know that suicide is the third leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24, after accidents and homicides? Did you know that 12 percent of total suicides in the United States are from that same age group? To address these startling statistics and discuss important information related to teen depression and suicide, the Goshen Central School District will host “Understanding the Adolescent Mood” from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, in the Goshen High School auditorium, 222 Scotchtown Ave., Goshen. The event is open to the public. Topics will include statistics about teen depression, risks factors, recognizing symptoms, help-seeking behaviors, the effects of drugs and alcohol, what parents can do to help their children, resources for support, and how school personnel responds to at-risk students. A question-and-answer session and “More Than Sad,” a movie about teen depression, are also included. The evening is hosted by high school principal Robert Litz and coordinated by high school social worker Mike Hanrahan. Presenters will include Chris Ashman, Orange County Commissioner of Mental Health; Dr. Barry Shrem, licensed clinical psychologist and director, Hudson Valley Center for Development, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital; Clarena L. McBeth, licensed mental health counselor and certified alcohol and substance abuse counselor, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital; and Susan Murray-Tetz, coordinator of mental health at Orange-Ulster BOCES. Because of the emotional content of the presentation, school counselors and psychologists will be on-hand to provide support. For more information, call Hanrahan at 615-6108.