IA/IL QUAD-CITIES – Suicide among young people is not easy to discuss, but it is still a topic that cannot be ignored. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 13 to 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The team at Mickle Communications believes we must come together as a community to battle this epidemic,” said Mike Mickle, President of Mickle Communications. “That’s why we created the prime-time special, If You Only Knew: The Journey Through Teen Depression and Suicide.”
Mickle stated that the new prime-time special is substantially different from their 2016 documentary of the same name. “Much of the content will be new, including a recent story of one family’s tragic loss, as well as startling information on cyberbullying,” he said. “You will learn what some young people have to endure when you hear anonymous social media messages sent to a Quad-City teenager. We’ll hear from social media experts about the need to police our children’s online activity. We’ll also get advice from mental health experts at Vera French. Those experts offer advice on how to begin the conversation about depression with our children. Equally important, we’ll learn how to respond if a child admits he or she is suffering.”
The message about teen depression and suicide will air in various formats on local television and radio stations:
WQPT (Quad-Cities PBS) as the original documentary, Sept. 7.
WHBF (Quad-Cities CBS affiliate) as a new primetime news special, Sept. 10.
KGCW (Quad Cities CW) as a new prime-time news special, Sept. 11.
WVIK (NPR) as a continuing series podcast, Sept. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21 & 22.
In the studio, following the prime-time news special, Mickle noted that they will have a frank discussion with experts. “Plus, specialists from Vera French will be standing by to take phone calls on both nights, Sept. 10 and 11,” he said. Meanwhile, the original documentary will also be rebroadcast on WQPT on Sept. 7. It was nominated for a Mid-America Emmy, and is currently available on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon.
“Turning away and pretending the problem doesn’t exist is no longer an option,” Mickle said. “We must work together to help children in our community know that they are loved and valued, and that there’s a way out of the darkness surrounding them. The journey back to contentment is possible. We need to let them know we’ll walk beside them, and make sure they get the help they need.”
