KDRV Staff & Associated Press
 
November 20, 2009
 
MEDFORD, Ore. -- Jackson County officials say they don't know whether a two-year spike in teen suicide represents a trend or an anomaly. Either way, it's worrisome.
 
Five teenagers killed themselves in 2008 and four have done so this year, including three middle-schoolers.
 
The southern Oregon county had only 18 teen suicides between 1990 and 2006, so the upswing has drawn notice.
 
Gretchen Ericson, the county's youth suicide prevention coordinator, says it's hard say what the increase means because there are many factors involved.
 
A 2007 survey of more than 600 Oregon youths who attempted suicide but survived found that family conflicts were a major reason, as were problems in school, trouble with the law and the breakup of romantic relationships.
 
Meanwhile, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's 11th annual Suicide Survivors Conference will take place in Medford Saturday. It's one of over 230 conferences that will take place simultaneously across the world. The conference will begin with a national teleconference featuring a panel of experts and survivors.
 
Attendees will also get the chance to participate in a question and answer period as well as some small group discussions.
 
Registration for the conference begins Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at the SOU/RCC Higher Education Center. It runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free to everyone.