By Mary Benjamin, The Mendocino Beacon, January 2, 2019
Editor’s note: Last week, this community suffered a tragedy in which a young person’s life ended. The particular event is too painful for clumsy public treatment, and rightfully outside the norms of American media coverage. But suicide is a terrible and growing problem, especially in rural America, and we relay these resources to anyone who has questions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that rural counties nationwide have suicide rates 80 percent higher than rates in metropolitan areas. For teens, this is a health crisis. Taking care of one’s own now has new meaning in rural communities. Grieving the loss of a teen is a singular experience. What we need to understand now is that it isn’t only the one we knew; it’s a multitude, and they are all ours.
In our area, for Medi-Cal recipients, a good place to start for advice and help is at Mendocino Coast Clinics, at 205 South St, Fort Bragg. The number to call is 707-964-1251. A physician would be able to guide a parent to available services.
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