The transition from high school to university or college is one of the most stressful times in a young person’s life.
The late teens, early 20s are also the time in life when severe mental illness often reveals itself and when earlier mental-health issues – eating disorders, anxiety, depression and the like – can be exacerbated.
Suicide is a leading cause of death in this age group, second only to motor-vehicle crashes.
“Every parent should know that this can happen to any family. We’re living proof of this,” says Eric Windeler, founder and executive director of Jack.org, which promotes mental- health advocacy by young people.
Jack Windeler died by suicide in March, 2010, while he was a student at Queen’s University. His parents had no idea he had stopped attending class, withdrawn socially and was depressed.
“Parents are often the last to know,” Mr. Windeler says.
Should universities inform parents when their children have mental-health issues? https://t.co/g5rotrjJoQ @GlobeDebate pic.twitter.com/XshvuCgeUv
— The Globe and Mail (@globeandmail) May 15, 2018