A Putnam County family will lay to rest a 10-year-old boy that apparently took his own life this past Saturday. Ian Austin died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Austin was a fourth grader at Cane Creek Elementary School in Cookeville. Family members say Austin had been bullied in school and had ADHD, but they never suspected he had thoughts of harming himself.

Funeral services for Ian will be today (Thursday, December 12, 2019) at 6 p.m. at Life Church at 2223 North Washington Avenue in Cookeville. Family will start receiving friends at 3 p.m. until time of the service. Graveside services will be tomorrow (Friday, December 13, 2019) at 10 a.m. at Judd Cemetery in Baxter.

Today it does not matter how young or old a person is, suicide is a very real issue. Chances are you know someone that has committed suicide, attempted suicide or is battling depression or problems. There is no typical demographic of people who are at risk for suicide. No ethnicity or background is immune. Many troubled individuals display behaviors deliberately or inadvertently signal their suicidal intent. Recognizing the warning signs and learning what to do next may help save a life.

Warning signs include:

• Talking about suicide, death, and/or no reason to live
• Withdrawal from friends and/or social activities
• Experience of a recent severe loss (especially a relationship) or the threat of a significant loss
• Experience or fear of a situation of humiliation of failure
• Drastic changes in behavior
• Loss of interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
• Preparation for death by making out a will (unexpectedly) and final arrangements
• Giving away prized possessions
• Previous history of suicide attempts, as well as violence and/or hostility
• Unnecessary risks; reckless and/or impulsive behavior
• Loss of interest in personal appearance
• Increased use of alcohol and/or drugs
• General hopelessness
• Recent experience humiliation or failure

WHO CAN YOU TALK TO WHEN THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE?

• A community mental health agency
• A private therapist
• A school counselor or psychologist
• A family physician
• A suicide prevention/crisis intervention center
• A religious/spiritual leader
• A family member
• A teacher or coach

There is help available for those thinking about suicide. If you or someone you know is thinking about doing self-harm, please call the following for help:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

TBI School Violence Hotline: 1-800-824-3463

Text TN to 741741 to connect to the Crisis Text Line and a trained counselor