Another student dies in Crystal Lake

Another student has died in Crystal Lake. This student, a freshman at Crystal Lake South High School, died while apparently playing the choking game or the Passout Game.

If you are a parent or know a parent, NOW is the time to sit down with your kid and have a serious conversation about risky behavior.

Do not rely on counselors at the high school (or at any school) to do your job. You do your job.

As I've from one parent, teachers were last week asking their students if they needed to go to see any of the counselors at the school office following the death of Jimmy Olson, a recent graduate of Crystal Lake South High School. Sure, what kid is going to raise his or her hand and say "Yes" to that question? And if he or she does and gets laughed at by other students, you think the next student is going to ask to go to the office?

Should every kid in the school be screened for risky behavior or depression following a friend's death?

This death might fall in the Accidental Death category. The kids who huff propane (or other substances) or play the choking or Passout Game don't intend to die. Maybe it's sort of like Russian Roulette. You might be lucky a few times (if you spin the barrel each time).

So Parents! Now, gather your kids - today - now, not tonight, not tomorrow. Get that conversation started. You don't have to know what to say. You don't have to try to find the right words. And don't you do all the talking. When you are talking, you are not learning anything about your kid. Get them talking.

Read and print this article: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/8995984/