“When I was 13…I …took a whole bottle of aspirin because I wanted to die. I didn’t want to be alive. I didn’t want to be here.” -- Desiree (15 years old)
New Mexico’s suicide rates have historically been nearly twice the national rate and suicide is the third leading cause of death among New Mexico youth. Statistics from 2001 indicate that one in five adolescents in New Mexico had seriously considered killing themselves and one in ten had attempted suicide.
Now a major project to educate teens, parents and educators about the signs and symptoms of youth depression and suicide will be launched this December presented by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, the Department of Health, the Human Services Department, and the Public Education Department in association with Cooperative Educational Services, Competitive Benefits Administrators, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, New Mexico Parent Teacher Association, New Mexico Suicide Prevention Coalition, the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators, KNME TV, KOAT TV, KRWG TV, KENW TV and The Albuquerque Journal.
On Wednesday, Dec. 15 from 7 to 7:30 p.m. the New Mexico PBS stations (KNME-TV Albuquerque/Santa Fe - Ch. 5, KRWG-TV Las Cruces - Ch. 22 and KENW-TV Portales - Ch. 3) will air a 30-minute documentary, “Coming Back: A death and life story about sons, daughters and friends.” told from the viewpoint of teens who have attempted suicide. From 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. the stations will air a follow up program that will include discussion about prevention of youth suicide from parents, educators and community perspectives. On Thursday, December 16 from 8 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 18 from 4 to 5 p.m. ABC stations including KOAT-TV 7, and its sister stations, will repeat the hour long broadcast.
UNM's Agora was consulted regarding the content of the documentary. Agora volunteers and staff are featured and the Agora Helpline will be listed as a referral and helpline during the second half hour "phone bank" portion.
"This has the opportunity for our service to become much more widely known to everyone in the state," said Agora's Public Relations Director Jeremy Jaramillo. "We also hope to once again show how much UNM cares for our community."
Discussion of suicide and depression is not easy or simple. But the warning signs of suicide can be recognized, understood and addressed by loved ones. A think tank of experts working over the past two years have donated research, guidance and insight into the specific approach for communication and outreach that can be used most effectively in New Mexico based on current programs and opportunities.
The project focuses on suicide prevention and empowering family and peer friends throughout the community with tools to help. These tools will include specific information and warning signs so that those most likely to have contact with potential victims of suicide (teen peers) will know when to take action and ways to help. The primary voice in the program will be that of young people, those who have attempted suicide and those who have been affected by it.
The elements of the project include:
* 30 Minute Broadcast Documentary
* 30 Minute Live Follow-up Show Broadcast immediately after the documentary
* 30 Minute Training Tape for Educators disseminated through all the public schools in NM
* 30 Minute Educational Tape for Families disseminated through NM PTA Series of Informational/Promotional commercials Curriculum Guide for use with the Documentary.
The project is a unique collaboration of several state departments. According to Gov. Bill Richardson, “Through this project, we hope to create a new awareness and understanding of youth suicide and depression and give communities throughout the state tools that will enable them to intervene and help prevent this terrible tragedy.”
Executive Producer Chris Schueler and Christopher Productions head up this multi-level project. John Lawrence of KNME-TV, Taz Painter of KOAT-TV and Schueler are producing the follow up program.
“When you see the statistics and you talk with the families, the suicide survivors, you know we have a devistating problem,” says Schueler. “But when you meet the incredible advocates and the people in the trenches, the non-profits groups and the state experts – when you see the enthusiasm and expertise of folks throughout the state – and when you’re able to combine that with the power of ABC and PBS television stations around the state, plus the Albuquerque Journal – you know we have an opportunity to help solve this problem. As a company and as individuals, we are honored to be working to help save the lives of our youth in the New Mexico.”
“This unique collaboration affords KNME and KOAT the opportunity to combine and focus their collective resources, convening a statewide look at, and a discussion about, youth suicide, which is an extremely difficult subject to tackle,” said Ted A Garcia, KNME-TV general manager and chief executive officer.
Mary Lynn Roper, President and General Manager of KOAT-TV echos a similar sentiment, "Many of us have noted, year after year, that teen suicide is a huge and very sad issue for New Mexico. KOAT welcomes the opportunity to provide a forum for discussing solutions to this devastating problem and not just report the aftermath."
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Beginning in early December, viewers will be able to log onto the Web sites of KNME-TV KNMEand KOAT-TV The New Mexico Channel.com, or Christopher Productions Christopher Productions and be linked to facts, statistics and organizations where questions may be asked and help found through an on line curriculum guide.
THE FOLLOWING PROJECT PARTICIPANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS:
Chris Schueler, President
Christopher Productions
Phone: 505-837-1770
Cell: (505) 450-9995
Email: chris@christopherproductions.org
www.christopherproductions.org
Steve Adelsheim, MD, Director
NM School Mental Health Programs
Office of School Health, Department of Health
Phone: 841-5879
Cell: 505-220-2280
Email: stevea@doh.state.nm.us
Michelle Linn-Gust, Co-chair
NM Suicide Prevention Coalition
Phone: 266-3134
Cell: 401-1954
Email: chelleheadworks@aol.com
JoAnne Sartorius, Co-chair
NM Suicide Prevention Coalition
Phone 982-1002
Email: JoAnn@NewMexico.com
Cynthia Gonzales, Executive Director
NM Suicide Intervention Project
Phone: 505-820-1066
Fax 505-983-0833
Email: NMSIP@aol.com
Molly McCoy Brack
Agora Crisis Center
Phone: 505-277-0749
Fax: 505-277-7519
Email: mollyb@unm.edu
Contacts: Chris Schueler, (505) 837-1770; Evy Todd, 277-1218 or Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920