Sioux Falls forum reviews suicide warning signs, school programs and local crisis services

Sioux Falls 2— At a Family Forum hosted by the Sioux Falls School District 49-5 with Avera, behavioral-health and district staff described warning signs of suicide among children and adolescents, explained how local crisis services assess and treat young people, and highlighted school-based programs that let peers and staff report concerns.

The discussion matters because, speakers said, suicide rates among young people are high and require coordinated action across schools, health providers and families. Thomas Otten, vice president of behavioral health for Avera, told the forum that “in America, there's 12,800,000 people 2think about suicide every year. 1,500,000 of those people attempt suicide, and 48,000 last year died by suicide,” and that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 19 in the United States. The forum took place as district and health partners encourage early identification, peer reporting and clear referral pathways.

Speakers described common warning signs parents and school staff can watch for,…