KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Mental health officials are working to raise awareness about community resources after a 14-year-old boy was found dead Sunday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
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The death is the second suspected from such means in 2017.
The name of the victim, who was found in a home on the 24000 block of Brighton Drive in Valencia, has not been released pending an autopsy, according to medical examiners.
The suicide represents the first in the 16 and under age group in more than a year, as none was reported in that group under the age of 16 in 2016.
Paramedics were dispatched to the home at 4:42 p.m. Sunday regarding a patient with a gunshot wound, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department officials, but the patient had already died.
2017 seems to be following the troubling pattern of 2016 so far, when the first few months had the suicide rate on track to potentially double.
The numbers raised alarms and spurred renewed efforts by Santa Clarita officials, who are working with community partners, such as the Sheriff’s Station and College of the Canyons, with the Blue Ribbon Task Force Subcommittee on Suicide Prevention.
“We have an advisory committee on suicide prevention, and we have developed a coalition of resources that are available to our community,” said Larry Schallert, assistant director of COC’s Student Health and Wellness Center, “both to prevent suicide and also post-intervention services for family who’ve survived suicide.”
Officials at College of the Canyons, which hosts the meetings, in particular, has stepped up outreach efforts, after officials there learned there were three suicides by students who never took advantage of the campus’ counseling resources, according to officials. There were none reported in 2016, but officials have been closely watching the issue and continuing the awareness efforts.
“We’re doing all we can to prevent these kinds of things, and working with everybody, including the Sheriff’s Department, the colleges our local providers and our local schools,” Schallert said, “to help prevent these kinds of things and to respond to people who are in crisis.”
The first suicide of 2017 took place Friday, Jan. 6 at the Oak Tree Gun Club in Newhall. The decedent in that case was identified as Travis Paster, 32, of Lancaster.
Anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley can click here for a list of resources. There are 24-hour phone numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 911 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:
- 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- 1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
- 1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center
- 661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center
- 661-257-9688 for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project
- (661) 263-9371 for Straightening Reins
Why does your coverage fail to discuss that teen suicide by gun is entirely preventable and that there is a safe storage law requiring adults to keep their guns locked up and away from minors? As responsible gun owners, adults have a DUTY to prevent child access to firearms. As a parent of four children, my heart aches deeply for the family and I can only imagine the grief they are experiencing. That said, these kinds of deaths are 100 percent preventable andgun owners who failed to secure their guns should be help accountible and have their gun(s) immediately removed from their possession. Also, with the increasing numbers of school shootings by disturbed young people with easy access to firearms from adults who fail to secure them, I am grateful that the young man did not take the gun to school and shoot someone else’s child prior to taking his own life. What a tragedy and such a preventable one too. Heartbreaking. For more information on suicide prevention and tips on safely storing firearms, please visit our website http://www.momsdemandaction.org.
Yes Sherri. You are right. The first action s/b that firearms are safely secured as the law (and common sense) requires. Unfortunately, suicides can occur w/ firearms that are neither legal or registered. If someone is determined to commit suicide and they don’t have a firearm, they will seek out other methods. Perhaps the focus s/b identifying depression in others and having the courage to take action. Suicide is untreated depression.
Sherri,
Where in this article did it say that the gun wasn’t stored safely? Where in this article did it say that the parents were irresponsible gun owners? Could it be possible that the 14 year old knew where the gun was stored and knew how to retrieve it? Yes it is tragic that this young man chose to take his own life…I have a 13 year old AND I’m a responsible gun owner.
The problem is you injected your views about guns in your response to the article, furthered by the fact that the website you posted is “slightly” slanted to the left.
What was the environment like that this person lived in. Was there high demands put on him in school? Were his parents even aware that he was having any suicidal tendencies? These can be well covered. Was he being bullied? Was he on medications that cause depression? Was he a loner? Did he see himself as a failure in total or in part? Did he have relationship problems?
There are a lot of unanswered questions that need to be looked into….
Honestly, some people are just depressed without reason. Depression and major depression are diseases, just like cancer, cystic fibrosis or dementia. Imagine the person you love and care for most in the world, suddenly passes away, (God forbid), but then think about feeling that sadness and pain everday all the time, for years. Imagine feeling that pain all the time for no reason.
The pain, the heaviness, the constant grief…usually people don’t commit suicide in order not to hurt those they love. Others just can’t handle it anymore.
Unfortunately any adult OR kid that is in a suicidal state of mind will find a way to commit this horrible act. Insurance companies shouldn’t make it so expensive to get therapy. Parents need to take some responsibility for not seeing ANY signs of trouble and if they do…seek professional help. I’m not saying that there are always signs but usually there is. And before anyone judges my comment, I’ve tried to commit suicide twice in my younger years. I just got caught. I saw a therapist for a few years afterward and though I’ve not been suicidal since, but i wish i could afford weekly therapy.
Chris,
There is free counseling available at the Placerita Bible Church Counseling Center, 22004 Placerita Canyon Rd Newhall, CA 91321 | 661.259.2913.
These are caring, well trained people that you can talk to.
This is absolutely heartbreaking. My heart aches for the teen, and his friends and family. Rest in Peace, sweet one.
It is terrible when someone takes their own life. But it is unfortunate when it is a young person. And it is most unfortunate that the drugging of these people with Psychiatric Drugs and Suicide are not linked as it should be. More and more people, younger and younger, are being prescribed these powerful and harmful drugs. The incidence of these drug uses and shootings has escalated since the inception of these drugs into our society. The proof is there, but people don’t see it and of course the media Never reports the use of these drugs in autopsy or any other violence. People think Psychiatric Drugs help, but statistics show differently. And no one ever links the drug and crime together.
You are confusing 2 different incidents a day apart. No where does it state anything about this kid being on drugs of any sort.
It does not state that the victim was on any sort of psych drugs but the statement is true. The first 30 days of anyone being put on an antidepressant are the most dangerous time as it is changing the chemistry of the brain. If not monitored closely it could have a terrible ending. Ones individual bio chemistry is so important to know when prescribing any drug and unfortunately our medical community does not do that.
Horrible for the family, unfortunately this young man choose a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Thoughts and prays for the family and friends affected.
Special thanks to The Goldman’s for staying on top of this local tragedy.
Thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends.
There is no 24000 block of Brighton Lane, I think they meant Brighton Dr. Why hasn’t any news source covered this?
Because it not news, it’s a local tragedy. Mainstream media doesn’t need to be involved.
This broke my heart. I saw all the police at my neighbors and now I know why ???
Goodbye best friend! I love you???
I’m a little disturbed by Sherrii’s response. If someone wants to kill themselves they are going to do it. It’s not hard at all and anyone with any sence knows that. For someone to insinuate that the reason this kid killed himself was because he had access to a gun is disgusting and they should be ashamed for making such a comment. This family is going through the hardest time of their lives right now and I can’t imagine how they must feel especially if they are reading the moronic comments made by some people here. God bless this family.