Pine-Richland community seeks answers to, prevention of teen suicides

May 10--A community joined together at a church in Richland on Monday night, seeking answers and hoping to shine a light on the issue of teen suicide.

An overflow crowd filled the social hall at St. Richard Catholic Church to hear from experts and those who have been touched by suicide. The crowd included church members, mental health professionals and representatives from several area school districts.

The Rev. Tom Sparacino and others at the church organized the meeting after two students in the Pine-Richland School District and another in a neighboring community took their lives in the first four months of 2016.

"It seems to be on everyone's mind, and nobody seems sure about what to do," Sparacino said. "This is an issue that tugs at the hearts of everyone in the community in many different ways."

In addition to Sparacino, the crowd heard from Mark Shoaf, a trained counselor who served for several years as board president in the Freeport School District and helped it address the issue.

He said his family lost a close friend -- a standout athlete at Slippery Rock University -- to suicide in 2012, and Shoaf said he has grappled with clinical depression and suicidal thoughts.

"I know what it's like to be in that very, very dark place," Shoaf said.

He said it is imperative that parents keep lines of communication open with their children.

"Never be afraid to ask if you think something is not right," Shoaf said.

Pine-Richland district officials last week discussed measures that have been implemented to improve the district's anti-bullying and suicide prevention initiatives.

The presentation occurred after board members, as well as Superintendent Brian Miller, received copies of an online petition signed by 1,436 people expressing concern over the number of suicides among district students during the past several years.

According to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office, 49 people age 19 or younger committed suicide in the county since 2010. Five lived within the Pine-Richland district, including a 17-year-old girl and 14-year-old boy this year.

Laura Davis, director of pupil services for the district, said a suicide awareness policy was updated in March and includes programs to train students how to report their concerns to school staff or other adults when they believe a classmate is experiencing emotional distress or contemplating suicide.

As part of the district's strategic plan update, she said, programs have been put in place at all schools to address the issues, and third-party professionals from Holy Family Institute are available to assist students.

"There is much work yet to do, because with this kind of work you are never done," Davis said. "But it is the most important work we do."

Sparacino said he hopes to form a group to hold additional meetings and bring the community together to combat what he calls a growing epidemic.

"Together, we can move mountains, and we have to move mountains on this issue," he said.

The group will be open to church members and nonmembers.

Vince Townley is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-772-6364.

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