As our What to Know Before They Go: Back To School series comes to an end, there's one more tough subject we have to tackle - teen suicide.

It's hard to imagine that a back-to-school series focused on how to support the teens in our lives has to include this topic. But the reality is clear. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24 in the U.S. Nearly 20 percent of high school students report serious thoughts of suicide and 9 percent have made an attempt to take their lives, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Let that sink in. Two of every ten high schoolers have serious thoughts of suicide and nearly 1 in 10  have tried to complete it. 

Join us today as we tackle this difficult but necessary conversation that every parent, educator, and family member needs to hear. 


Special Guest: Lena McCain
Lena McCain is our Founder of Interfaith Bridge Counseling, where she now serves as  Clinical Director. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health: Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University.

Lena’s drive and passions lie in person-centered, liberation-based mental health, which she has spent the last 12 years studying with an emphasis on one’s exploration of personal growth, community healing, and multicultural values. Lena’s expertise in these areas and the therapeutic field reminds our community, teens, and young adults that you are not alone in their experience of life.

Show notes:
Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) - https://www.nami.org/Get-

Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month-(SPAM)
https://nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Kids/What-to-Look-For-
and-When-to-Act.

5 Healing Tips for YOUth – Suicide Prevention and Mental Wellness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtQ2tcUiVPU.

Lena’s website: Interfaithbridge.