An encouraging decline.

Byline: The Register-Guard

Through the despair that normally shrouds the subject of suicide shines this shaft of light: Suicides by teenagers and young adults have declined in Oregon to the lowest levels seen in more than a decade.

Though it's always risky to read too much into year-to-year changes in suicide statistics, any news that suggests headway has been made against the second-leading cause of death for Oregon teens, after accidents, is worth cautious celebration.

Add extra caution to the celebration because state health officials are worried that budget cuts brought about by the defeat of Measure 30 will hurt suicide prevention programs. Reduced funding for the Oregon Health Plan will affect mental health services for low-income people, and county health departments are already cutting back on the number of teams performing suicide risk assessments in schools.

The funding cuts are particularly worrisome in light of Oregon's youth suicide rate, which, despite the recent decline, is among the nation's highest. From 1997 through 2001, Oregon had a yearly average of 66 suicides among 10- to 24-year-olds. In Lane County, 39 people in that age group committed suicide during that five-year span - about eight young people a year.

Lane County ranks second - by an eyelash - in the number of suicide attempts by youth 17 and younger, with 130 reported attempts in 2002. Multnomah reported 131.

Because the most important risk indicator for a future suicide attempt is a previous attempt, it's crucial to provide suicidal teenagers with access to mental health services. Failure to do so can have deadly consequences. Four in 10 teens who attempt suicide once will try again.

The reality of reduced mental health funding increases the responsibility of parents, teachers and teenagers to join the effort to prevent youth suicide. There's much that can be done.

The vast majority of teen suicide attempts occur in the family home. Parents can go a long way toward creating a safe home environment for teens by unloading and locking up guns and by controlling access to prescription pills and other medications. This is especially critical in households where there is familial stress, either in the parents' marital relationship or in the interactions between parents and teenagers.

Two-thirds of boys and girls who attempt suicide do so following family discord and conflicts with their parents. Guns or lethal doses of pills in the hands of a distressed, impulsive teen can be a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

Parents and teachers need to become familiar with the warning signs that can signal a suicide risk, such as: a noticeable change in eating and sleeping habits; withdrawal from friends, family and regular activities; drug and alcohol use; marked personality change; intolerance of praise or rewards; or teenagers' efforts to put their affairs in order by giving away favorite possessions or throwing away important belongings.

Finally, teenagers themselves need to be taught to tell an adult if a peer talks of suicide. Such hints, particularly if they are repeated, should always be taken seriously.

Youth suicide has no respect for social class or position. Just last week, Oregon's Republican Sen. Gordon Smith offered tearful testimony to congressional colleagues considering a bill in Washington about the suicide of his son, Garrett.

As the community tries to fill gaps left by budget cuts, Oregon's legislators need to shake off disillusionment at the defeat of Measure 30 and redouble their efforts to provide adequate and stable funding for mental health services. Children's lives are at stake.