After son’s death, a Pinellas County mother works to prevent youth suicide

TAMPA, Fla. — New research from the National Institutes of Health found an increase in the rate of preteen suicide.

The NIH study says suicide rates of those ages 8-12 have been increasing by about 8% annually since 2008. Researchers say it highlights the need to better understand and identify those at risk for suicide.

Liz Martin is a mother working to help bring about that better understanding. Her son, Jack, died by suicide in 2020. He had just turned 13.

“I don’t want anybody to ever have to deal with the repercussions of what can and does happen,” said Martin of losing her son, who was in seventh grade.

After Jack’s death, Martin says her family received what she described as alarming letters from her son’s peers describing their own feelings.

“I know how he feels or things that make you pause, when your gut drops, listen to that,” said Martin.

The mother listened and founded Operation Jack’s Village, a comprehensive, research-driven approach to suicide awareness and prevention.

“So, we’re creating a vehicle for parents and anybody else who’s interested in really understanding what the heck’s going on, what to look for,” said Martin.

That protection and prevention approach, she says, focuses around a strategy of: survive, thrive and soar.

“Survive is about gathering all that information, getting it all into manageable pieces that you can draw in on and understand … this is what’s happening,” said Martin.

Martin says to better understand and identify brain health and adolescent mental health risks, Operation Jack’s Village collaborates with a variety of consultants.

Dr. Rahul Mehra is one consultant, he’s a double-board certified psychiatrist.

“What can we do differently to start educating the general public in a way that provides education to parents and adults about this topic of suicide?” said Dr. Mehra, who specializes in the wellbeing of children.

Dr. Mehra created Emotional Vaccines, what he describes as prevention through education. The psychiatrist stresses the importance of prevention strategies.

“One of the reasons suicide at young ages happens as an impulsive act, in part because the brain’s not fully developed until age 25,” said Dr. Mehra. “And when children experience external stress and they hear about external suicide from outside sources, they may consider them to take that act.”

Doctor Mehra says it’s possible a child shows no signs, but parents can look for:

• Social isolation
• Change in child’s hygiene
• Mood irritability
• Sleep disturbance

Dr. Mehra and Martin working toward identifying those who are at-risk and encouraging action over awareness through educating and empowering parents.

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This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

Other youth mental health resources can be found through the National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Mayo Clinic.