Fourteen-year-old Julia was scared, exhausted and depressed. She didn’t have many friends at school and felt isolated. She couldn’t handle the pain she was feeling anymore. However, her mother noticed her behavioral changes and contacted COPES for Kids. COPES, a program of Family & Children’s Services (F&CS), provides support for adults and children in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. They soothed Julia’s distress and connected her to help.
Today, Julia shares her story with others to let other people who are struggling know that they are not alone.
The risk of suicide among young people may be far more common that most people realize. In Oklahoma, suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24. More than 31 percent of American high school students report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and more than 17 percent of high school students report they have seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.
COPES is available 24/7 at 918.744.4800.