I was so sad to hear the news on Fox 61 last night that two West Hartford middle school students committed suicide this week. During her segment on the tragedy, Fox 61 reporter Laurie Perez held in her hand a copy of the letter sent home to parents yesterday by West Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. David Sklarz, which has been posted online by the Hartford Courant. While the school district is providing counseling and support for West Hartford students and families, I'm sure that many parents whose children attend other area schools are also saddened, concerned and wondering if these deaths might have been preventable.

I want to call your attention to a wonderful resource on Teen Suicide created by About.com's Depression Guide, Nancy Schimelpfening, which answers questions about why teens commit suicide and lists warning signs every parent should take seriously. You should also be aware that Connecticut's 2-1-1- Infoline is certified by the American Association of Suicidology and available 24 hours a day to help teens in crisis.