Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / Oct. 8, 2003, edition 1 / Page 8
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8 CAMPUS orijviojv Who’s responsible for child suicide? CHRISTY KIMBALi. News Editor I was browsing at cnn.com to find something in the news to form an opinion about and relay to the public. I stumbled upon an article about a woman in Meriden, Connecticut found guilty of one count of risk of injuiy to a minor for a fil&y home which allegedly facilitated her 12-year old son's sui* cide. She faces up to 10 years in prison. Her son was teased for months at school over his bad breath and body odor, which the pros ecutors attribute to the con dition of his home. The mother was cleared of a second chaise that accused her of failing to provide her son with proper medical and p^chological care. She was also acquitted on a Schools or Parents? u cruelty charge. The mother worked full time in her son's school and part time at Wal-Mart. How accountable are parents for the suicide of a child? In cases of parental abuse, I would definitely say the parents are completely accountable and responsible for that suicide, even though suicide is a choice. Sometimes, those •children may feel that sui cide is their only choice. Suicide is the 3rd lead ing cause of death in peo ple ages 15-24, following homicide and unintentional injuries. The rate in chil dren 10-14 is 300 per 19,895,072. Suicide rate in ages 15-19 is 1,621 deaths per 19,882,596 adolescents and for ages 20-24, it is 2,373 per 18,484, 615 Suicide Is the 3ni leading cause of death In people ages 15-24, following homi cide and unintentional Injuries. adults. Parents can be held accountable for suicide in ages 10-18, because that is when children reside with them in most cases. For people ages 19-24, parents can be held less account able due to children typi cally moving way at that age. Colleges and universi ties are recognizing that suicide is a problem for this age group. More than 80 colleges and universities are collaborating to stop this problem. Many have signed up with Ulifeline.org, which is a free pro gram that offers links to school mental health cen ters for informa tion, coun- selling, or to schedule appointments. It is important for both schools and parents to work together if they feel that a child is exhibiting signs of emotional distress. Connecticut passed a law forcing schools to report bullies to the authorities after the suicide of the 12- year old boy. Should this be a law that is nationwide? Would it prevent suicide in that particular age group? It would prevent some, but not all suicides. If parents and schools can work together, maybe this prob lem could have the rate as the 1950's which was one third less of what it is today. If someone you know or you my be at risk for sui cide, go to Ulifeline.oig or read the depression screen ing ad on page's for more information. The Herald welcomes let ters to the editor. All let- ters must be s/gned but may be published anonym mously. The Herald reserves the right to edit letters for length and/or offensive content. career center October Events Perfecting your Resume Thurs. Oct. 5:30 p.m. Location: Career Center Develop Dynamic interviewing Skills Mon. Oct. 20f 5:30 p.m. Location: career Center Getting Started with a Job Search Wed. Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m. Location: Career Center Questions, please call: 760-8341 Campus Calendar Hate Crimes Awareness Week continues with a Coming Out Day on Thurs., Oct. 9. Boxes of name tags will be available across campus for students to write their names on and one thing they are proud of being. Leadership Enrichment Series continues Today at 6 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium with a session on birth order and personaiity type. Fall Break begins at 5 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 10 until Wed., Oct. 15 at 8 a.m. Community Calendar R.E.M. will be performing at Alltel Pavilion at Walnut Creek on Oct. 10. Tickets are $27.50 to $55.00. Call Ticketmaster at 834-4000 for tickets and information. The Great Pumpkin Contest will be at the State Famners iWarket on Oct 9. There will be pumpkin decorating. Call 733-7417 for more Information. Ken's Komy Kom IMaze is at Ken’s Produce and Garden Center in Gamer. It will last through Nov. 15 on weekends. Call 779-4765 for information. Classifieds Spring Break 2004. Travel with STS, America's #1 Student Tour Operator to Jamaica, Cancun, Acapulco, Bahamas and Florida. Now hiring campus reps. Call for group dis counts. Information/Reservati ons 1-800-648-4849 or WWW. ststra vel. com.
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