Suicide prevention training becoming more prevalent in schools

Many children suffer from bullying. However, some teens are turning to suicide as a means to escape the torment that the bullies afflict on them every day. Now, schools are becoming proactive in their efforts to provide adolescents who are harassed with guidance.

For instance, school administrators across Vermont are joining guidance counselors and teachers to receive training on how to prevent teen suicide, the Burlington Free Press.

Experts told the news source that teens with suicidal thoughts often exhibit warning signs such as hopelessness, anger, persistent feelings of failure, difficulty concentrating, withdrawal and isolation. Furthermore, they said that the motivations for suicide are complex, but they often include clinical depression, substance abuse and bullying.

Many schools within the state encourage their students to tell adults or teachers if they fear for their friend's well-being.

"There is no downside. We understand the student's situation. The student understands that people really care about him or her," Amy Mellencamp, Burlington High School principal, told the news source.

According to a 2008 report from the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 4,500 young lives are lost each year due to suicide.