MANY PEOPLE VIEW suicide a topic that should not be discussed. Some who have lost friends and family to suicide may feel sufficiently disgraced that they try to hide the fact of the suicide from others. In order for suicide prevention and treatment programs for teens who have already attempted suicide to work, however, people must be willing to talk about suicide.

Psychiatrist Lloyd B. Potter and his colleagues note, By communicating with parents, teachers, and youth about recognizing suicide risk and appropriate action to take when risk is perceived, we may begin to see positive effects in the reduction of youth suicide. In addition, by communication with the public about the magnitude of the problem and the preventability of suicide, support for developing a strong scientific base for prevention may grow.

Once our society is able to talk more...