Dear Friends at Seymour Herald

Dear Friends at Seymour Herald, I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your front page story this past week on Suicide. I am the mother of 3. I have 2 surviving teenagers and I lost my oldest child Josh to suicide when he was just 15 in November of 1996. I speak out often to anyone whom will listen about depression/suicide. It is an epidemic that needs to be confronted and dealt with. We are losing our precious children to this nightmare. So many parents are afraid to talk with their children about suicide. We teach them about drugs, alcohol, drinking and driving, sex and protection and everything else, why are we stopping at suicide? If it is a fear, then you may lose your child. You won’t get that second chance to ask. If you have a child that has some or all of the symptoms of depression, get help! Ask your child if they have thought of ending their life. Do not hesitate to ask. Bringing it up doesn’t mean that it is giving them the idea. Bringing it up, means that you are showing them you care. Every middle school and high school in Seymour and surrounding areas needs to put this 3 series article your paper is writing on their bulletin boards and in their newsletters. Believe me, it will save a child. Maybe your child. Thank you again Seymour Herald and Tom Guily for addressing a matter that needs to be addressed. I wish I had the second chance with my son Josh...... Debbie Ruttencutter http://www.joshginter.com