On the heels of a scare last week when two runaways were feared to be suicidal, an expert said Saturday that suicide signs can be difficult for parents to detect, but the problem can be prevented.
A child sometimes can mask feelings without the parent ever knowing, said Pam Farkas, a licensed clinical social worker.
On Friday, two Thousand Oaks runaway teens were found safe after nearly two days of being missing. One of them had left a suicide note before slipping out of the house, his father said.
Nicholas Marino, 13, remained in a hospital for observation Saturday, said his father, Chuck Marino. The father said he believed his son's girlfriend, Kaylee Rebert, 14, who ran away with Nicholas, also was interviewed by authorities and sent to a hospital for observation.
They were found unharmed Friday in Newbury Park. The teens were reported missing about 1 a.m. Thursday.
Marino said that Nicholas recently had been depressed but he usually was a happy kid,
A sudden change in behavior is a main sign of someone being depressed, which could lead to having suicidal thoughts, said Farkas, who also volunteers with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in the Conejo Valley and as a speaker for Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, which serves Southern California.
"If they are usually outgoing and then become withdrawn or they are very withdrawn and then become very outgoing, that's something to worry about," Farkas said.
Sometimes parents aren't aware of the signs because they don't know what signs to look for in their child, or they think it's typical teenager behavior, Farkas said.
Some early signs could be a teen isolating himself or herself in their room and listening to dark music or not being interested in socializing with their friends or families, she said. Losing interest in athletics or a drop in school grades also could be signs, she said.
"If it happens once, however, it doesn't mean they are depressed," Farkas said.
But if the signs persist for more than two weeks, then the best prevention for a parent is to be able to talk to their teenager and open up with constant dialogue, Farkas said.
"Parents need to have a concerned conversation, not an accusatory conversation," Farkas said.
The parent needs to listen to their child but also let them know they have noticed changes and are concerned for their child's well-being, Farkas said.
However, if the child is "imminently suicidal," the best thing to do is seek a mental health professional and have the child evaluated, she said. "Imminently suicidal" means the adolescent is thinking of committing suicide that instant, she said.
Marino said that after his son was found unharmed in Newbury Park, he was interviewed by authorities and taken to a hospital.
Marino said he believed his son was under a 72-hour suicide watch at the hospital, but he hadn't had contact with Nicholas since he was found.
"I wish I could see him," Marino said. "I wish I could give him a hug."
A few details emerged Saturday of how the runaways spent the nearly two days they were missing.
Marino said Nicholas had spent at least one night sleeping near a tree in the woods, although he wasn't sure of the exact location. The runaways were found in a trailer about 3 p.m. Friday.
"He wasn't happy to be found," Marino said.
Authorities searched for the teens for more than 12 hours Thursday at Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks after a police dog picked up a scent that led to the area, Ventura County sheriff's officials said.
Marino said he was grateful Nicholas was alive, but it could be several days before he is able to see his son.
"I'm very relieved that he was found," he said. "I was able to finally sleep last night after not sleeping for days."
GETTING HELP
Licensed clinical social worker Pam Farkas said warning signs for teen depression can include:
--Losing interest in school activities such as athletics or events
--Losing interest in social gatherings with family and friends
--Grades dropping
--Isolation
--Eating too much or too little
--Difficulty in concentrating
--Too much/too little sleep
Suicide Prevention Center Hotline: 877-727-4747 ___
(c)2013 Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.)
Visit Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.) at www.vcstar.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
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