Two topics that often have profound impact on families - bullying and suicide - were discussed Wednesday during a program conducted by Behavioral Health Associates in Nesquehoning.

Although the two topics were handled separately, one speaker said that at times they can have ancombined impact.About 20 people attended the program held in Nesquehoning Fire Company No. 1.Following presentations by three speakers, staff members of several local agencies were available for individual discussion.The main speakers were Dr. Helene Katz, a staff psychologist with BHA; Laura Schiffer, a teacher at Lehighton Area High School; Kimmy Mulik, Carbon County Deputy Chief Juvenile Court Officer; and Felicia Anthony, a 17-year-old high school student.Katz said the philosophy at BHA is "that treatment services should be humanistic, progressive and patient-centered."She said, "We believe that parents and families are significant to each child's treatment, and that family involvement is a key aspect to the treatment process."She spoke mostly about suicide. She said a common myth is that suicides happen without warning."Usually someone knows if someone is considering suicide," she said. "With children it's usually another child."She said a dire statistic is that one young person dies by suicide every hour and 47 minutes. It is the second leading cause of death among people age 12-18.Katz told about the importance of counseling for people who might be contemplating suicide."If someone suspects a child is suicidal, don't be afraid to ask them," she said.She stressed that when approaching a child for such a reason, "have a calm head."She also said that parents should not "minimize" the threat, or make such appeasing statements like, "It can't be that bad."Katz spoke briefly on bullying, saying that an individual being bullied often is one who keeps to himself.Often the victim cannot find support because others seeing the bullying occur keep their distance because they are afraid they, too, will become bullied.Schiffer, an economics teacher and adviser to the Student Council and National Honor Society at LAHS, said her school district has made great efforts to reduce bullying.She said last school year, the district rolled out a districtwide positive behavior initiative.Part of that program is the creation of a group called Aevidum, which is Latin for "I got your back."Aevidum was started at Cocalico High School in Lancaster County following a suicide there of a student.The program is entirely student run and "everyone fits in, everyone is welcome," she said.The anti-bullying efforts not only look at students, but even the way teachers handle situations, she said. As an example, gym teachers might possibly change the way they pick teams for certain events in such a way that the same students are picked last all the time.She said anti-bullying efforts also are occurring at other school districts including Panther Valley and Jim Thorpe.Mulik talked about the juvenile probation office and how it deals with both bullying and victims.She said sometimes her office sees victims who are tired of being bullied and take matters into their own hands.There are cases she has seen "where bullies have put a good beating on victims.""The juvenile system is about rehabilitation, holding accountable and protecting the community," she said.Mulik said that any child who is adjudicated a delinquent is fingerprinted. These fingerprints can show up later in life such as when the person applies to a college or seeks a job.When a child has problems, Mulik said, "I tell the parent to be persistent. Go to school officials. Go to the police. But be persistent. Please do not give up until someone hears you."Anthony told about insults she endured and how bullying against her kept getting worse. She said her mother complained to school officials and although the perpetrators were told to stop, they only became more emboldened."I know how it feels not wanting to go to school; not wanting to be around other students," she said.She also told how she witnessed a girl who had bullied her become a victim, how she encouraged that victim to cope with it and how it evolved into a positive chain reaction effect.