Suicide prevention PSA taped at Palm Desert Church

A Palm Desert church was used as a backdrop Thursday for a public service announcement focusing on the need to say something if a young friend talks about killing themselves.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But advocates say speaking up could save lives.

A production crew set up to bring attention to the very serious subject of suicide and teenagers at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

It’s chapel served as the setting for a public service announcement.

Fabianne Gstottenmayer’s brother committed suicide in August.

Gstottenmayer said, “It has been devastatingly hard for me and my family.”

“I think children, teenagers these days don’t really understand the gravity of friends talking about killing themselves,” Gstottenmayer said, “and how serious it can be.”

The CDC lists risk factors including a history of previous suicide attempts, a family history of suicide, depression or other mental illnesses, drug or alcohol abuse and stress or loss.

Father Howard Lincoln of Sacred Heart said, “Our parish has lost two kids fairly recently to suicide. One this past August. Only 15 years old.” Lincoln added, “We have a responsibility to do everything we can to prevent that.”

Lincoln says one of the hardest parts of his job as a priest is to do a funeral for a child.

“No parent should ever ever have to bury their child,” Lincoln said, “and maybe in a small way this will help.”

Gstottenmayer urges young people to tell parents if someone they know talks about committing about suicide.

“If this helps one family– just one family from ever having to go through this,” Gstottenmayer said, “then it means everything to me.”

The public service announcement is set to air by the end of April.