Article July 11, 1988 Issue

When a teen-ager talks suicide

When life seems nothing but bleak, our responses can become literally healing and saving ones as we listen for God's answers.

Written for the Sentinel

I Was worried about our teen-age son. His behavior was anything but normal. More often than not he was filled with anxiety and prone to fits of crying or angry outbursts. Teachers were having difficulty with him, and at home he was a source of friction.

Trying to help him, I talked with him many times but found it impossible to reason with him. When I asked him what was wrong, his answer was always "I don't know." When I suggested that he pray, he spouted viciously, "I don't believe in God!" Several times, either in anger or despair, he mentioned suicide.

As a student of Christian Science, I prayed throughout this difficult period. Sometimes I felt worn out physically and spiritually. On those occasions I had the help of a Christian Science practitioner and, as a result, felt tremendously strengthened. After some time my husband, who is not a Christian Scientist, requested that our son have psychological counseling. Though it was not our son's choice (he didn't feel he needed any help), he participated in this for a few months. There were points when he showed evidence of improvement, but those times were followed by more upsets. Then the counseling was terminated.

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