re: US suicide rate reaches 30 year high

We get lots of children (ages 10 up to teenagers)that either attempted or verbalized suicidal feelings. Because they may not have insurance, and because AZ has very limited child psych beds available....these kids basically hang out with us until a bed comes available. Many times....the doctors end up just discharging them home after they have stayed with us for 2-3 weeks and it's obvious that a bed will never open up to them(esp if they don't have any insurance). So NOTHING was done for these kids basically.

None of us peds nurses are trained as psych nurses, these kids aren't able to talk to counselors and group sessions, etc while they are waiting for psych treatment. The ones I have cared for....either it was seriously messed up home situations(abuse or parents doing drugs, whatever) OR...they were being bullied by others in school and online. It is just heartbreaking to see some of these kids. You just want to hug them and tell them that things do get better, if they could just wait it out and see.