Teen Suicide Rates In RI Lowest in the Country
For the second year in a row, teen suicide rates in Rhode Island are the lowest in the nation. That’s according to America’s Health Ranking, which compares percentages around the country.
A lot of it is being credited to the work being done, not only in local hospitals but also in our schools.
We sat down with a teen who says a program at Bradley Hospital saved her life.
17–year–old Caleigh Pearce of North Kingstown was depressed and suicidal a few years ago.
“I had gotten into some pretty dark places in my head you could say. a lot of self–bullying and stuff like that, ” says Pearce.
It all started when Caleigh was 13. Her inner circle of friends was changing, the workload at school… getting more intense. She turned to cutting as a way to not feel the pain she was experiencing inside.
“I got to a point where I wasn’t feeling anything anymore, like my body was shutting down almost, ” adds Pearce.
Her family got her into therapy. It helped for a little while… but soon enough those dark thoughts came creeping back.
It wasn’t until she got into the Mindful Teen Program at Bradley Hospital, Caleigh started to realize she wasn’t alone. “It’s not something you can deal with on your own, ” says Pearce.
The Mindful Teen Program is a 6–month outpatient treatment plan for 13 to 18-year-olds and their families.
Doctor Kerri Kim is the program’s director. It was created five years ago and offers help to teens 24–7.
The program involves the whole family who learns support and coping skills.
“The teens who have these behaviors are lacking the skills knowing how to proceed, how to manage their emotion and how to tolerate distress, ” says Dr. Kim.
Two years ago, Caleigh graduated from the Mindful Teen Program. She says the last time she turned to cutting was in March of 2018.
“The program has made me extremely stronger and able to validate the fact that I do have negative feelings sometimes, and that it doesn’t have to be like that all of the time, ” says Pearce.
©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019
