Ben and Jude Platzer are working to raise awareness about the problem of teen suicide. Their son Josh hanged himself in 1999.
Photo-Dan Toulgoet
 

Teen suicide something to talk about
 
Sandra Thomas
Staff writer, Vancouver Courier

Kerrisdale mother Jude Platzer says every year when she writes a memoriam for her son Josh, she always notes his death was a suicide.

"I do that on purpose because most people find suicide so difficult to talk about. There is such a taboo associated with it," said Platzer. Her son hanged himself in 1999 when he was 15. "I'm a nurse and can remember a time no one talked about cancer. We called it the 'Big C.' Now everyone talks about cancer and that's my goal with suicide."

The year after Josh's death Platzer began speaking at schools about suicide prevention and helped organize events for World Suicide Prevention Day, Sept. 10. She formed an organization to help friends and families of youth suicides cope, and to raise awareness about what she calls a tragic code of silence about suicide. The Josh Platzer Society for Teen Suicide Prevention and Awareness was registered as a non-profit society last year.

Platzer and her husband Ben knew Josh was suffering from depression, but they were convinced his mental health was improving. In August 1999, Josh returned from a vacation in England visiting his cousins. There was a marked improvement in his mood. She later discovered while researching her son's death, that an upbeat attitude is common among people who follow through with their suicide, perhaps because they are relieved their pain will soon end.

On Aug. 6, the Platzers headed to the airport to pick up Josh's sister. He went to a friend's home to watch videos. The Platzers wanted Josh to join them but because his therapist had advised them to give Josh "space," they went without him when he refused.

After watching videos Josh told his friend he was going for a walk at about 10 p.m. When he didn't return home his mother searched for him through the night. The next morning a newspaper carrier found Josh where he'd hung himself from his best friend's porch.

"It's still hard to talk about," said Platzer. "I have tears streaming down my face as we talk."

Josh attempted suicide for the first time in December 1998 by overdosing on an over-the-counter medication. He told his teacher, who sent him the hospital, but the Platzers didn't find out until weeks later.

Platzer said the family knew Josh was deeply troubled and after an agonizing time on a waiting list, placed him under the care of a psychiatrist. But they had no idea how bad the situation had gotten because no one told them what was going on at school.

Neither his classmates nor any of his teachers mentioned Josh's "suicide diary," in which he wrote often and planned his funeral. He spent hours writing in this diary when he should have been in class. He missed 80 hours of classes and one final exam that year and no one notified his parents. After Josh's death, the Platzers found a dark, disturbing essay about death he'd handed into his English teacher, who had marked it and made no note of its gruesome contents.

The doctors treating Josh prescribed antidepressants, but didn't inform his parents. Josh did not take the pills and stashed them away. His parents found the pills after his death.

Platzer said she and her husband believe had they known more about what was going on in Josh's life, they might have been able to save him.

"I was so angry after his death, there was such secrecy among his friends," said Platzer. "Josh fell through a lot of cracks."

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for 15 to 19 year olds.

"I actually believe it's the number one reason," said Platzer, "because they don't know how many of them crashed their car as a way to commit suicide."

Last year she designed orange rubber bracelets to hand out to students engraved with the phone number for the B.C. Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention of B.C.

This year Platzer petitioned the City of Vancouver to allow her to place suicide-awareness posters in bus shelters for World Suicide Prevention Day.

Robin Shantz, communications coordinator for the B.C. Crisis Line, applauds Platzers' efforts.

"The bracelet campaign is great," he said. "It's catchy and includes important information."

Shantz said anyone contemplating suicide needs to know there is someone ready to listen. He adds if you think someone is thinking about suicide, ask them.

For more information on the Josh Platzer Society, see www.teensuicideprevention.org. The Crisis Line phone number is 604-872-3311. Teens can either call that number or check www.youthinbc.com, which is dedicated to kids and youth.