Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 10, 1994 TAG: 9404100108
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KATHLEEN WILSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Particularly since more people commit suicide in April than in any other month of the year.
"When someone you look up to chooses suicide as an option, it would make it more likely that you'd contemplate that as the same answer to life's problems," said John Todd, director of clinical services at Lewis-Gale Psychiatric Center.
"The fact that it's April makes it a time for parents to pay particular attention to their teen-agers if depressed."
For parents who don't understand who Cobain was or what his music might have meant to their children, Tim Merriman, 24, who works at the Record Exchange in Blacksburg, explained that the singer rather single-handedly turned the music industry upside down.
He did that by not writing songs for the masses. Cobain wrote loud, angry songs about alienation.
"His songs weren't happy," said Merriman. "He summed it all up for a whole generation with songs about not fitting in. About feeling alienated."
Merriman, a longtime fan of Cobain's music, said Cobain's suicide came as a complete surprise.
"It was really upsetting, because from everything you read, everything was going so well for him," said Merriman.
He did a lot of dangerous things, Merriman admits.
"But he had a new wife and new baby," he explained. "It wasn't just about his financial success.
"I'm afraid you just chalk it up as `that's rock 'n' roll.' "
Rock stars "are not only role models, but they speak to emotions kids have trouble articulating," said Linda Rosenblum, a social worker with Los Angeles Unified School District's mental health services.
"When you're a teen-ager, you feel like you're so deep; and when someone comes along and sings what you feel, it's a big deal. When they die, it's a loss."
Todd says that Cobain's suicide should be viewed as a real statement to teen-agers who admired his music.
"And if the teen-ager is already feeling alienated . . . and is a fan of the band, parents should at least bring up the subject of Cobain's death."
But Todd thinks the kids listening to this kind of music probably don't have very good relationships with their parents.
Grief, of course, is a natural reaction to Cobain's death. But parents might want to check to make sure their teen is sad, not depressed.
When grief turns to depression - indicated by loss of sleep, lost appetite and alienation - here are places to call for help:
Respond, Lewis-Gale Psychiatric Center: (800) 443-9870.
Trust - Roanoke Valley Trouble Center: (703) 344-1948.
Teenline-Trust: (703) 982-8336.
Youth Crisis Hotline: (800) 448-4663.
by CNB