On Thursday, Oct. 27, family educator Aditi Dutt answered your questions about youth suicide prevention.

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Bon Secours is hosting a free information session, Preventing Youth Suicide, at Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital Health Resource Center, 2 Bernardine Drive, Newport News. To register or for more information, call (757) 886-6511 or e-mail delores_price@bshsi.org

 Ask the Experts: About Youth Suicide Prevention(10/27/2011) 
11:56
Prue: 
Welcome to today's health chat on the subject of "youth suicide prevention." You can ask your questions now.
Thursday October 27, 2011 11:56 Prue
11:57
Prue: 
Joining us today is family counselor and expert on the topic, Aditi Dutt. She teaches professional workshops for Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital on many topics that affect youth ..
Thursday October 27, 2011 11:57 Prue
11:57
Prue: 
These include such issues as BULLYING, PREDATOR SAFETY, and parenting classes.
Thursday October 27, 2011 11:57 Prue
11:58
Prue: 
Aditi Dutt -- please let readers know when you're online and ready to answer their questions.
Thursday October 27, 2011 11:58 Prue
11:58
Prue: 
The topic of youth suicide is a very difficult one. Today is an opportunity for readers to ask questions about the warning signs and prevention strategies.
Thursday October 27, 2011 11:58 Prue
12:00
Prue: 
While we're waiting for Aditi Dutt, I will tell you about an upcoming workshop sponsored by Bon Secours Family Focus program. It is on Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital, 2 Bernadine Drive, Newport News.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:00 Prue
12:00
Prue: 
For information about the FREE seminar on Nov. 1, call 886-6511 and talk to Delores Price, or email delores_price@bhsi.org.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:00 Prue
12:01
aditi dutt: 
I'm ready....
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:01 aditi dutt
12:01
Prue: 
Great. Welcome Aditi.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:01 Prue
12:01
aditi dutt: 
Welcome everyone
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:01 aditi dutt
12:02
Prue: 
I'll ask the first question. Could you tell us some of the warning signs in youth -- and if there's any difference in ages -- for the threat of suicide.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:02 Prue
12:02
Prue: 
Readers -- we are talking to Aditi Dutt, family counselor and expert in youth suicide prevention. Ask your questions in confidence now.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:02 Prue
12:03
aditi dutt: 
Suicide is seen most in youth 10-24 years old & in white males over 65
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:03 aditi dutt
12:03
aditi dutt: 
The risk of suicide increases if the person had already attempted suicide....
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:03 aditi dutt
12:04
aditi dutt: 
It seems to be very high in our miltary with symptoms of PTSD....
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:04 aditi dutt
12:05
Prue: 
Are there any particular triggers in youth - those as young as 10, that seems incredible
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:05 Prue
12:05
aditi dutt: 
If the person has mental health problems or a family history of such (especially auditory hallucinations.....hearing voices)...
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:05 aditi dutt
12:05
aditi dutt: 
Bullying ....
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:05 aditi dutt
12:05
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
Any suggestions for how to help a child who is verbally bullied at school
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:05 Guest
12:06
aditi dutt: 
Always help the child solve the problem with open communication.........
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:06 aditi dutt
12:07
Prue: 
Should a child be encouraged to tell a teacher? Or does that result in more bullying?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:07 Prue
12:08
aditi dutt: 
The child should always tell an adult
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:08 aditi dutt
12:08
Prue: 
Readers: we are talking to Aditi Dutt, a family counselor who specializes in youth suicide prevention and bullying prevention. Ask your questions now.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:08 Prue
12:08
Prue: 
Are there techniques that a child can use to stand up to verbal abuse or counter it?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:08 Prue
12:10
aditi dutt: 
Always make sure that you are not confrontational with the bully...
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:10 aditi dutt
12:10
Prue: 
Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital is sponsoring a youth suicide prevention seminar from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1. It's free and open to the public.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:10 Prue
12:10
aditi dutt: 
The number of bystanders makes a difference. Make sure people are not present to "egg" the bully on
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:10 aditi dutt
12:11
Prue: 
For information on the seminar, call 886-6511.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:11 Prue
12:11
[Comment From janejane: ] 
Are there any signs to look for to tell if a child is being bullied?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:11 jane
12:11
aditi dutt: 
if a child makes excuses to miss school or has stress symptoms like continuous aches & pains
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:11 aditi dutt
12:12
Prue: 
How can you get a child to open up about being bullied? Are there particular questions to ask? ALSO, how can you stop your own child from being a bully.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:12 Prue
12:12
aditi dutt: 
if a child does not want to play with his friends in the neighborhood but rather chooses to be in his room for long periods of time
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:12 aditi dutt
12:13
aditi dutt: 
Increase your child's self-esteem by showing him respect everyday. Otherwise he'll choose to demand respect by bullying
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:13 aditi dutt
12:13
Prue: 
If your child is being bullied, what are the appropriate steps for a parent to take?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:13 Prue
12:14
aditi dutt: 
First go to the principal if it is happening in school. If this doesn't solve the problem go to the school board
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:14 aditi dutt
12:15
Prue: 
Do any schools have anti-bullying programs that you know about?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:15 Prue
12:15
aditi dutt: 
if it is happening in the neighborhood then go to the cops
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:15 aditi dutt
12:15
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
Do you have any recommendations for monitoring online and phone activity?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:15 Guest
12:15
aditi dutt: 
most schools in the tidewater area are becoming mor & more aware of the bullying epidemic & are putting in teacher trainings to watch out for the problem
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:15 aditi dutt
12:16
Prue: 
Readers, we are talking to Aditi Dutt, family counselor, who specializes in bullying and youth suicide prevention. Ask your questions in confidence now.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:16 Prue
12:16
aditi dutt: 
always do random checks onn your child's computer activity, get all his passwords
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:16 aditi dutt
12:17
aditi dutt: 
make sure your computer is in a public place like a family room
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:17 aditi dutt
12:17
aditi dutt: 
check your child's text messages
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:17 aditi dutt
12:18
Prue: 
That's an excellent suggestion. What is appropriate access to phone/computer etc. at different ages?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:18 Prue
12:18
aditi dutt: 
after all homework has been completed, then computer usage with parental controls
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:18 aditi dutt
12:18
Prue: 
How do you balance privacy rights and checking behind a child; what about the charge that "you don't trust them" etc.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:18 Prue
12:19
aditi dutt: 
children can use parent's phones thru' elementary school
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:19 aditi dutt
12:19
aditi dutt: 
learn the latest technology of how to check for cookies on computer usage
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:19 aditi dutt
12:19
Prue: 
Where do you see the most bullying? Is it in person or more often electronic?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:19 Prue
12:20
aditi dutt: 
probably electronic because of anonymity
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:20 aditi dutt
12:20
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
Is it always serious if someone talks about suicide, or is that normal
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:20 Guest
12:20
aditi dutt: 
in person bullying can be caught by administrators or caring neighbors
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:20 aditi dutt
12:20
aditi dutt: 
it is always better to be safe than sorry so please check out every threat
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:20 aditi dutt
12:21
Prue: 
If someone is scaring you with the way they talk, where can you get help?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:21 Prue
12:23
Prue: 
Readers: We have just a few minutes left for you to ask your questions about youth suicide prevention. All questions are in complete confidence.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:23 Prue
12:23
aditi dutt: 
There are many resources 1-800 suicide
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:23 aditi dutt
12:23
aditi dutt: 
www.preventsuicideva.org
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:23 aditi dutt
12:24
aditi dutt: 
www.suicidology.org
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:24 aditi dutt
12:24
Prue: 
If you call that 800 number do you get a real person on the line?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:24 Prue
12:24
aditi dutt: 
american foundation for suicide prevention
www.afsp.org
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:24 aditi dutt
12:24
aditi dutt: 
it's an automatic transfer to local certified crisis center
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:24 aditi dutt
12:25
Prue: 
Could you tell readers a few warning signs in youth that should not be ignored. And then, what they should do. Call a family doctor? therapist?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:25 Prue
12:26
aditi dutt: 
About privacy rights remember that children's rooms should be monitored randomly to make sure that they are not being good in school just to cover up another problem deeper
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:26 aditi dutt
12:26
[Comment From Andrew CarrAndrew Carr: ] 
Do you feel that with all these medications that children are being prescribed these days that it may be a reason for the rise in "choking"?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:26 Andrew Carr
12:27
Prue: 
I'm not sure what "choking" is. Could you clarify in your answer. Thanks.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:27 Prue
12:27
aditi dutt: 
choking has been going on long before but we are just becoming aware of it
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:27 aditi dutt
12:27
aditi dutt: 
choking is when children choke themselves or somebody else for a sexual thrill
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:27 aditi dutt
12:28
Prue: 
I thnk the whole medication issue is a major one -- especially with children. Any further comments on that?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:28 Prue
12:28
aditi dutt: 
I think children are not being told about the hazards of choking, only the thrills
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:28 aditi dutt
12:28
Prue: 
Also, I know we are running out of time, but if you could give top 3 warning signs of trouble and what recourse parents/adults have.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:28 Prue
12:28
aditi dutt: 
always change a child's diet first before putting a child on medication
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:28 aditi dutt
12:29
aditi dutt: 
a lot of our current problems are because of the diet we eat
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:29 aditi dutt
12:29
Prue: 
Interesting -- so reducing/eliminating sugars? Anything else that you recommend in that department?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:29 Prue
12:30
aditi dutt: 
loses interest in things he used to have fun doing
sleeps too much or too little
gives away important possessions
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:30 aditi dutt
12:30
aditi dutt: 
foods containing dyes. read labels
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:30 aditi dutt
12:30
Prue: 
And what should concerned adult/friend do if they observe these behaviors?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:30 Prue
12:31
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
I read somewhere that most bullies are also victims of bullying. Is this your experience?
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:31 Guest
12:31
aditi dutt: 
mental illnesses & suicide is not as common in countries with healthier & fresher diets & lesser chemicals & preservatives
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:31 aditi dutt
12:31
Prue: 
This is our last question. After Aditi Dutt, family counselor, has answered these, I will close the chat. Thanks Aditi
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:31 Prue
12:32
aditi dutt: 
I wouldn't say most but some bullies have been bullied before
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:32 aditi dutt
12:32
aditi dutt: 
Sometimes bullies have very elated narcissistic behavior
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:32 aditi dutt
12:33
Prue: 
A reminder: Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital is hosting a free seminar on the topic of Youth Suicide Prevention from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1. 886-6511 for information.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:33 Prue
12:34
Prue: 
Join us every Wednesday at noon at dailypress.com for live health chat. On Nov. 2 - chiropractic care.
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:34 Prue
12:34
Prue: 
Aditi -- I have to close the chat now. Thanks for your participation!
Thursday October 27, 2011 12:34 Prue
12:35