Darrell McCumber is a third generation farmer from Central Illinois. His family and home life were happy and strong, he was raised with a heritage of faith that extends back for generations; yet as a teen he found himself struggling with depression and desperation. His story includes a time in his teen years when he was tempted to do the unthinkable, but thanks to God’s faithfulness and the grace of God, Darrell chose life and now his heart and passion for helping others chose life and faith remains to this day.
Darrell is not the head of some major ministry or a church pastor, but he is an amazing man of faith. A father, grandfather, and grateful son and nephew, his lifelong journey has been filled with great joys and celebrations as well as tragedies and sadness. Through it all he has kept his eyes and ears open for the needs of those around him, and continues to share his story of God’s faithfulness and protection over his life when he was most vulnerable.
He urges every parent and grandparent to pay close attention to their children, and to be extra vigilant with those students who are struggling with depression and poor self esteem.
Today’s episode will focus on the frightening statistics around teen suicide and the risks inherent to growing up. He make the extra effort to remind us that no matter how healthy or stable a family might be, depression can strike quickly and tragically if parents are not aware and actively involved in the lives of their children.
Podcast Link: https://soundcloud.com/brilliantlybrave/ep64-darrell-mccumber
YouTube Link:https://youtu.be/3DVnM4im8ms
Key Statistics on Teens and Depression:
20% of adolescents suffer with clinical depression.
Teen suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in youth ages 10-24
| Warning signs: |
| Low self-esteem |
| Poor body image |
| ADHD disorders – Anxiety disorders |
| Loss of interest in pleasure or activities |
| Decreased appetite |
| Change in sleep pattern – inability or excessive |
| Fatigue – loss of energy |
| Isolating from family and friends |
| Talking about death or obsessing about death |
| Sudden and significant loss of weight |
| Overly Pessimistic – |
| Cutting or piercing – hurting themselves |
| Resources: |
| American Foundation of Suicide Prevention |
| www.afsp.org |
| National Suicide Prevention Hotline |
| 800-SUICIDE |
| www.suicide.org |
| Remedy Live Ministry |
| www.remedylive.com |
| Covenant House |
| 800-999-9999 |
Quotes from our Interview:
| I couldn’t have had a better home-life growing up, and still I was at risk for suicide” |
| “Parents can get so busy, they miss the subtle signs of depression and the behaviors that will warn us of trouble in our kids.” |
