Courier - September 2000 Grieving West Side mom working to prevent teen suicides A book with half its pages torn out sits on an end table in Jude and Ben Platzer's living room. Jude took the book about grief with her on a country retreat shortly after her 15-year-old son josh killed himself last August. Consumed with anguish and frustration, she tore up the book during the retreat, but still brought it home. She picks up the book and occasionally reads passages from it. It's symbolic, in some ways, of her turnaround. Josh was a popular student at Point Grey secondary school, but like many idealistic teens, was depressed with the state of the world. He talked with his friends-but not his family-about death and suicide, right down to details for his funeral and cremation, which he left in a journal for his family. In December 1998, Josh overdosed on sleeping pills, but woke up the next morning. He went to school and told a teacher what he had done and was whisked to Children's Hospital. He hadn't taken enough pills to endanger his life but the incident was an early warning. In April, Josh overdosed on pills again, this time at school. He nev- er lost consciousness and was fine after a short stay in hospital. Josh was diagnosed as suffering from bipolar disorder-manic depression-and was prescribed antidepressants. He didn't take them. He masked his deception by periodically asking for new pills, but his parents discovered four unopened bottles in his backpack after his death. He was also skipping school regularly, as his parents learned later, and had written a dark essay about death for his English class. One day in early August, Josh went to a friend's home to watch movies. Claiming to be bored, he left around 10 p.m. to go for a walk. Hours passed, and he didn't return home. After trying to reach him at his friend's house, the Platzers called 91 1, but were in- formed the police wouldn't respond to a missing person report for 24 to 48 hours. The operator reassured them by saying most missing people return home. In retrospect, Jude said, the family could have mounted an early morning search with friends and neighbours. But wanting to believe the operator's advice, they decided-to wait it out. Josh hanged himself on a friend's porch in the early morning. After Josh's death, Jude returned to work as a registered nurse. Though she was able to remain composed at work, she would sometimes become hysterical during the drive home. Now, a year later, Platzer is composed but sad. Her eyes well with tears as she recounts the events that led to her son's death. But she's working to prevent other families from going through the same tribulations. Jude is taking steps to start a Josh Platzer memorial fund with the Vancouver Foundation to help at-risk teens find help, which is available but not always obvious. She also wants to help people understand that people turn to suicide because they're ill-there should be no stigma attached. “It's no different than diabetes or heart disease," she said. "That's the message I want to achieve." National suicide rates have tripled during the last 30 years. Three times as many men as women kill themselves. Platzer needs $10,000 to start the fund. Anyone interested in contributing, or looking for more information, can call the foundation at 688-2204. The Dance Arts Society is also holding two public rehearsals for its show dealing with teen suicide, Ice: Beyond Cool, in memory of Josh Platzer. The Sept. 20 rehearsals at Point Grey Secondary School are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.