LAST Tuesday on episode four of this season’s Talk Up Yout, the topic of suicide, specifically, TEEN suicide was discussed.

According to the Office of the Children’s Advocate in Jamaica, child suicide had been on the rise, and in just the first four months of 2011, four children had taken their own lives. Also, the World Health Organisation named that suicide is the leading cause of death for TEENagers.

The guest for this episode was Francesca Tavares, who though only 16 years of age, knows what it feels like to be rejected and alone; even to the point of suicide.

She said that her troubles started when she entered high school. Because she was younger than the rest of the group, she had a strong desire to fit in, and craved their approval and affection. She was constantly oppressed by negative words from her ‘friends’ and she turned these words into reality.

After some time, she became friendless; she hated her self-image; her school grades began to drop. She felt she had reached rock bottom. She became angry at the world, God and her family. She felt all her anger and pain were undeserved.

She then describes her major suicide attempt to the host, Emprezz. She swallowed some of a bathroom cleaning agent, but woke up shortly after, much to her dismay. After some counselling from her godmother and Dr Donovan Thomas, president of the suicide intervention organisation, Choose Life International, she began to trust and focus more on God.

Francesca urged parents not to ignore suicidal signs in their children. Suicidal thoughts don’t have to become a reality.

Dr Tammy Haynes, clinical psychologist specialising in neuro-psychology visited the programme and encouraged children not to be depressed, but to focus on positive things and feel positively about themselves. She also encourages TEENs who are facing problems to seek counselling or and understanding adult.