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Suicide Prevention: Early Intervention is Key

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It’s a tough topic to talk about….suicide. Some say if anything good can come out of the tragedy experienced by Senator Creigh Deeds and his family, when he was stabbed by his mentally ill son, who then killed himself….it’s greater awareness about warning signs, risks, and treatment.

The most recent state assessments find teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19….and young adults, up to age 24…are especially vulnerable to higher rates of suicide.
 

Credit VCU Medical Center
Dr. Anand Pandurangi

Dr. Ananda Pandurangi, with Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Psychiatry says there are usually warning signs….beginning with alienation and significant depression…..and there are ways to encourage earlier intervention.

 

Dr.  Pandurangi is on the Governor's Task Force on Improving Mental Health Services and Crisis Response….as well as the Virginia State Board of Behavior Health and Developmental Service.
 

Credit Politics Matters
Jan Paynter, Writer, Host & Producer of "Politics Matters"

You can hear the full interview with him, on the Virginia public television program “Politics Matters” with host and producer Jan Paynter.  Click hear to see how you can watch the program, airing this weekend on WVPT.