Teen Mental Health/Social Media
 | Author:
Dee Gannon, MT43 News Correspondent
MT43 News Correspondent |
Teen Mental Health/Social Media
Dee Gannon
MT43 News Correspondent
Thursday evening, April 27, found about a dozen people; parents and STOKE volunteers, coming to The Lodge to hear Sheriff Nick Rauser speak about Social Media and how it sometimes directly influences teenage suicide. Rauser had already made this presentation to the Middle School and High School students and parents, hoping for a conversation between parents and children.
Nick Rauser began his law enforcement career working in Meaghar and Jefferson Counties; making his ‘home’ in Broadwater County, for the past few years.
Rauser showed a few videos; the first showed a young man who survived jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge (only 1 percent of the people who jump, survive). Since the completion of the bridge in 1937, 2,000 have died in trying to find peace.
Another clip showed the ‘ripple effect’ of suicide. Not only the ones you know or don’t know, that are affected…but, all those people who love you, depend on you, or look up to you…you will never know the positive effect that you have had upon them.
While Rauser was working in Jefferson County; he became close with a family because the dad was a fellow deputy. One day, while on duty, he received a call for an ambulance at a known address. He responded to the call, and being the first on the scene, was trying to make sense. Mom was frantically telling Rauser that “Kaitlyn shot herself!”. Nick, thinking she had been horsing around and shot herself in the leg or abdomen, said “It's okay, we can fix it.” Nothing could have prepared him for the scene in front of him. Kaitlyn “Katybell’ Ray Sereday had shot herself in the head; with no warning, her life ended on September 4th, 2013. Her suicide note was the most heart-wrenching, most enlightening, most joyful, that I have ever read, said Rauser, “How do you even recover from that?”.
Rauser continued that so much pressure is put upon our youngsters; to be pretty, to be smart, to be ‘better’ than others…even to have more ‘followers’, and the ‘clickbait’ that pushes the limits to what our children can handle. He reiterated that young people’s brains are not developed enough or able to consider the consequences of their words or actions.
Rauser is deeply concerned that there are two men in the jail that are there for child abuse offenses, and he acknowledges that only a small percentage of offenders are reported. In the schools, it is reported an uptick in local sexual videos and photos, circulating. This is very troubling, responds a parent. “If it wasn’t for Sheriff Rauser speaking to the school, my daughter would never have had the courage to speak to me about what was going on; what was troubling her for six months or so. Thanks, Nicki! We as a family are more able to communicate, because of you!”
There are many videos on YouTube and other media outlets, that encourage our kids to tell what is going on in their lives; not to be silent. There are as many, or more, telling kids to “follow” others into this abyss to which they may not rise.
Our job, as parents and others, is to show by example what it is to be a productive member of society. To prove that, by service, we can live our best life; and by love, we can change the world. To provide a safe haven for those who may not be able to deal with these feelings and thoughts, no matter your age.
Nick Rauser is available to give this presentation to anyone who requests it. He may also put together a presentation on Elder Scams; if you request it. You can contact Sheriff Nick Rauser at 406-266-3441.
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Dee Gannon
Image 1 Caption: Nick Rauser sharing pic of family friend who died by suicide.
