Teen Depression and Suicide Prevention: A Parent’s Call for Change in Schools

After losing his teenage daughter to suicide, Chris Coulter turned his grief into a mission: demanding real change in how schools and parents address teen mental health.

In this powerful episode of Giving Voice to Depression, Chris shares the lessons he learned too late — about prevention, emotional intelligence, grief, and the dangerous indifference many parents and schools show toward mental health. Joined by Dr. Anita Sanz, this conversation highlights the urgent need for systemic change, while also giving parents practical tools to support their children before crisis hits.

This episode is both a call to action and a guide for parents who want to do better — because awareness, listening, and early intervention can save lives.

Link to Chris Coulter's article: https://chriscoulter-66476.medium.com/from-grief-to-growth-a-journey-of-healing-e647e426bb5e

Link to Chris's Coultere-book: https://www.amazon.com/WAKE-COULD-LOSE-YOUR-SUICIDE-ebook/dp/B0CQQ61F2R

Link to Chris's Coulter blog: https://www.thefinishlinegroup.com/emotional-wellness-blog

Primary Topics Covered:

• Why teen depression and suicide rates are far higher than many realize
• Chris’s story of loss and transformation into an advocate
• Why prevention is more effective than crisis response
• The importance of teaching emotional intelligence and grief to kids
• The difference between sadness and depression in teens
• How parents can listen without always “fixing”
• Celebrating small wins to build resilience and hope
• Why schools must be held accountable for mental health programs
• How student-led evaluations could drive systemic change

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and episode context
 01:27 – Chris Coulter’s mission after losing his daughter to suicide
 02:53 – Teen depression statistics and misconceptions
 04:06 – Why prevention matters more than crisis intervention
 05:33 – Teaching emotional intelligence and grief at an early age
 07:10 – Parents’ role: listening vs. fixing
 08:30 – Why celebrating small wins builds resilience
 09:34 – Understanding sadness vs. depression in teens
 10:30 – Supporting children through silence and presence
 12:05 – Building trust and emotional safety with kids
 13:14 – Hard lessons learned through loss
 13:46 – Chris’s frustration with school indifference to mental health
 14:37 – Holding schools accountable for student mental health support
 16:25 – Why student ratings could spark systemic change
 17:11 – Dr. Anita Sanz on ignorance vs. education in mental health
 19:17 – The importance of teaching grief and emotions to children
 20:50 – Final reflections and call to action for parents and schools

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