Show #328 – Elliot Kallen: A Dad On A Mission To Prevent Teen Suicide

LISTEN TO THIS WEEK’S SHOW ON iTUNES, STITCHER OR SPOTIFY OR LISTEN RIGHT HERE:

New music for the show, by LIOR.

We have a new tune for our show to welcome the new year! An old friend of mine from uni happens to be one of Australia’s finest artists, Lior, and as I love supporting local artists and it’s been brilliant having Melanie Horsnell’s music on the show the past couple of years, for 2023/24 it will be Lior. You will hear excerpts from his track “Caught Up” – go check it out on iTunes or Spotify if you want to hear the whole song or album, Scattered Reflections. Co-written with Cameron Deyell, it’s a great song and I love the reflective energy of it – perfect for the show, right? Enjoy. Lior is always touring, so do check out his website. It is wonderful to hear him sing live, trust me.

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And on this week’s show!

Today we are looking at teen mental health and what we can all do to support our teens in life. We talk about what spurred it all on for Dad and Brighter Day Charity founder, Elliot Kallen, which was his son taking his own life, here are some numbers if you need support today:

Australia: Lifeline: 131314

USA Crisis Text Line: text BRIGHTER to 741741

USA OK2Talk Helpline Teen Helpline 1 (800) 273-TALK

UK Youth Suicide Hotline Papyrus 0800 068 4141 or 07860039967 (9am – midnight)

NZ Youthline 0800 37 66 33

Canada: Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566

What no parent wants their story to be, told by Elliot, today’s show guest:

“Seven years ago, my son Jake, a sophomore at the University of Montana, walked up the highway and jumped in front of an oncoming truck, taking his life. In his suicide note, he wrote that he would have never told us how he felt or taken our help. We were devastated and shocked and have since learned that thousands of families had the same experience. None of his friends, family, or his coaches knew that he was struggling with depression.

My name is Elliot Kallen, and I am the President and Founder of A Brighter Day Charity.

In honor of Jake, we began this charity six years ago by creating resources for teens and parents on stress and depression to stop teen suicide. We have now grown to become a charity that has impacted tens of thousands of families. Thousands are viewing our resources every month. We have established support programs and even offer college scholarships.

Teen suicide has become a major problem in this country and is now the 2nd leading cause of death among teens.

We are experts in teen depression and don’t want other parents to experience this devastation.

I will share ideas that will make a huge difference in the lives of teens and their parents.”

Teen mental health is a real concern to many and it will take all of us to support our teens through these years. I hope this show is useful for you or someone you know.

Questions I asked Elliot

In your son’s suicide note, you share that he said he would have never told you how he felt nor have accepted any help from anybody. How does one begin to process these words as the last from their child to their parents, as the parent?
And a question for every parent who dreads this possibility and asks: Was there any sign at all in retrospect?
What have been the most supportive resources for your family in the grief journey?
Do you remember the point at which you decided to help others and how did A Brighter Day Charity form as the way that you wanted to do that?
What do we know about depression and teen suicide?
How can we look for signs of depression and stress in teens: when should we seek help and what can that help look like?
Strategies parents can use to help their teens manage mental health challenges and build self-confidence.
People say ‘kids aren’t as tough as they used to be’ – do you think that’s true?
Great tools teens and young adults can use to manage stress and depression.
What are some of the things that fill you with hope in the work that you are doing?

More About Elliot Kallen

Website: https://abrighterday.info/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uniteforabrighterday/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abrighterdaycharity/

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliotkallen/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCix1ywbqDiVW2VvKhMFMlw (Charity Channel)

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Enjoy the show,