55KRC: Better student mental health resources needed

The U.S. Surgeon General has declared student mental health an epidemic of concern, particularly student depression and risks for suicide. This epidemic has been felt locally in the Forest Hills Local School District, where seven students have died by suicide in the last four years.

"I’m really wanting to sound an urgent alarm that our kids are at risk, substantial risk and to think creatively and to also act on is there more that we can be doing to keep our students and loved ones safe," Erica Birkley, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience in the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, a UC Health psychiatrist and the parent of a Forest Hills student, told the Simply Medicine radio show and podcast.

Birkley said she has been involved in offering QPR (question, persuade, refer) training in the district and will continue to advocate for better mental health resources across schools in the Cincinnati area. It is important to have conversations out in the open and help combat stigma associated with mental health struggles and suicide, she said.

"A lot of people might hear or have been told that talking about [suicide] or bringing it up might increase the likelihood that somebody acts on it, and that is just not the case," Birkley said. "In fact, it is the opposite."

Listen to the full Simply Medicine segment. (Note: Conversation with Dr. Birkley begins at approximately the 1:05 mark.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free, confidential services 24/7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or by texting HELLO to the Crisis Text Line, 741741.

Featured photo at top courtesy of Unsplash.