the following passage is from “wake up, you could lose your teen to suicide: a father’s guide to dealing with teenage depression & anxiety”, a mental health and parenting memoir from advocate chris coulter.
this section, titled “the loneliness epidemic: the silent struggle within teenage lives,” delves into the critical issues of mental health among teens, the impact of cyberbullying and social media, and the pervasive sense of loneliness that many young people experience.
chris coulter, a passionate mental health advocate, turned his personal tragedy into a mission after losing his daughter, maddie, to suicide in 2015. he has spoken at numerous conferences and worked with the non-profit how are you feeling, focusing on helping children understand and manage their emotions. through his story, we hope to shed light on the importance of mental health and emotional well-being.
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our family’s story isn’t unique. it’s essential to grasp what happened to us isn’t an isolated incident; the numbers confirm that. while our journey ended tragically, there are countless tales of recovery and triumph. the challenge lies in recognizing the signs. often, they’re subtle, especially in the early stages. some of you may never face anything similar to our experience, and that’s a good thing. the crucial point is that this isn’t just about being a parent. even excellent parenting doesn’t guarantee a happy outcome. conversely, being a less-than-stellar parent doesn’t automatically mean your child will face challenges as maddie did. it might increase the odds, but it’s no guarantee.