Many teens find it difficult to talk about their problems, especially if they do not feel they are loved unconditionally. The lack of communication, though, can cost them their lives.

Here is one reader's view of teen silence:

Letter from a reader of the Tennessean

To the Editor:

This is in regard to Melissa Manley’s article about youth suicides in Tennessee (“Youth suicides, attempts in Tennessee are alarmingly high,” Dec. 3). I want to commend her for talking about youth suicide because people are reluctant to discuss it in these times. People today underestimate the severity of teenage suicide and, more importantly, attempted suicides.

There is more stress on teens today than ever before: graduating from high school, getting into college, getting a job after college, etc. The emphasis on success in modern society is causing teenagers to stress about things that they shouldn’t be stressing about until later in life.
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Society is taking the part of being a kid out of the life of a teenager, and replacing it with adulthood worries. Stack society’s expectations on top of life’s tragedies and no parental guidance — it’s a wonder the suicide rate isn’t higher than what it already is.

There aren’t enough elder figures in a teenager’s life to give them a pat on the back and say everything is going to be “OK.” Manley summed up the problem with suicide prevention in her last sentence: “Silence costs lives.”

-Nathan Forester, HENDERSONVILLE 37075