I'm struck by it on a very personal level because I tried to commit suicide when I was 9 and again when I was 13. When I entered therapy, and each time I changed doctors, the presumption was that these were "cries for help" and not serious attempts. But both times I understood exactly what I was trying to do, and I tried to hide what I had done when I failed. I ended up in therapy with a diagnosis that boiled down to adolescent angst - until someone competent realized that I had Bipolar Disorder.
20 years later, I'm glad I made it through and got the proper treatment, but I will never forget what it was like to want to die at such a young age. This tragedy brings me back to that very dark place and I mourn for the girl and her family.
I'm struck by it on a very personal level because I tried to commit suicide when I was 9 and again when I was 13. When I entered therapy, and each time I changed doctors, the presumption was that these were "cries for help" and not serious attempts. But both times I understood exactly what I was trying to do, and I tried to hide what I had done when I failed. I ended up in therapy with a diagnosis that boiled down to adolescent angst - until someone competent realized that I had Bipolar Disorder.
20 years later, I'm glad I made it through and got the proper treatment, but I will never forget what it was like to want to die at such a young age. This tragedy brings me back to that very dark place and I mourn for the girl and her family.