Suicide Risk, Depression To Be Discussed at Belmont Parent's Night

When the latest Youth Risk Study was released in November, one set of numbers stood out to everyone who read the document: One in eight 7th and 8th graders at the Chenery Middle School reported in 2011 having serious thought of committing suicide, up from 8 percent reported two years earlier.

While those numbers were concerning enough, half of those – 6 percent – made serious plans to kill themselves and half of those actually tried to commit suicide.

Dr. Larry Berkowitz, director of Riverside Trauma Center in Needham, will speak to the parents on high risk behaviors of adolescents in Middle and High schools including depression and suicidal ideation at a Belmont Parent's Night talk tonight at 7 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School auditorium. 

After the presentation, there will be an opportunity for parents to talk with other parents and guardians on the issue.  

School counselors from both Belmont High and Chenery Middle schools will be available to help facilitate small group discussion or answer individual questions. Consider attending this parent evening forum to learn about and discuss information relevant and important to our students and families.