Web Link Among Young Suicide Victims?

Some Of 13 In British Town May Have Posted Messages, Shared Friends On Networking Sites

(CBS) 

"Suicide is the third leading cause of death with teens," Gardere continued. "And therefore, what we see, the first teen who commits suicide almost serves as a role model for other kids. In other words, they open up this book for them that these other kids can now latch onto. And if they're having depression or other mental health issues, then they can choose this inappropriate way of venting a lot of their anger and their depression.

" ... A lot of these kids are putting entries in before they die. So certainly parents should know what's going on on these Web sites. But it's also telling me kids are talking to one another and not talking to their parents. And in many ways, they're glorifying their suicides, getting attention in death that they were not getting in life. So parents, wake up. Smell the coffee. Your kids need to speak to you. There is an epidemic as far as depression and other psychological issues with our teens, and we need to address it.

"I think," Gardere concluded, "certain parents should know what their kids are doing on the websites, and if their kids are having some sociological, some psychological issues, talk to them and make sure that there's some sort of intervention."