By JACK PALMER

palmer@crescent-news.com

A former Detroit Lions quarterback will share his tragic yet hopeful story of life after football during three separate appearances Monday in Defiance.

Eric Hipple will speak at Defiance High School, Defiance College and during a public forum at Defiance Regional Medical Center about depression awareness and teen suicide prevention. His son, Jeff, took his own life eight years ago at the age of 15.

"The key is to teach about the warning signals," Hipple, 51, said during a phone interview Thursday, "things like grades dropping, lower appetite, sleep problems, headaches and stomach aches for no apparent reason.

"My son had every one of them, but I couldn't identify them with suicide. I just thought those things were part of life."

Hipple, after being introduced by DHS parent Sherrie Hammersmith, will speak at a high school assembly from 9:50-10:30 a.m. Counselors will be available to meet in privacy with any students who wish to talk about any concerns they have about themselves or their friends after the assembly.

Hipple will also meet with the football team and other athletes and be available in the cafeteria to talk with anyone about anything, including his nine-year pro football career with the Lions in the 1980s.

He will spend his afternoon at DC, talking to faculty and visiting a freshman seminar. He will be available to the public during a reception from 3-4 p.m. in the Buchman board room on the second floor of the Serrick Center.

The public forum will be held from 7-8 p.m. in a meeting room on the lower level of DRMC. He will again be introduced by Hammersmith. Joining Hipple as guest speaker will be Dr. Teymour Sepahbodi, a DMRC psychiatrist whose practice specializes in youths and adolescents.

"This public program will include as much time as needed for questions and discussion," said Lou Levy, communications director for the Four County ADAMhs board. "Area parents and other adults involved with youths such as grandparents, teachers, coaches, youth pastors, scout leaders and 4-H advisers are encouraged to find time to attend.

"When almost one in three Defiance County youths report symptoms typical of depression, we need to understand what it means and what we can do."

Levy was referring to a 2005 health needs assessment taken by county youths, which indicated that 30 percent of students reported feeling so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more that they stopped some of their usual activities.

"Our hope is that through Eric's appearances and the coverage of them that youths and adults will understand what teen depression is, learn to identify signs or symptoms, and know how to find the resources where they can get help," said Levy.

Hipple presently serves as outreach coordinator for the University of Michigan Depression Center, spreading the dual message of depression warning signs and suicide prevention. He speaks to a variety of audiences, from students and parents to local organizations and businesses.

He is the author of Real Men Do Cry, which chronicles his son's story and his own personal battle with depression and recovery. He also recently co-authored a study about depression and pain in retired professional football players.

"My goal is to open the eyes of both young people and their parents," said Hipple. "The key for parents is to keep dialogue open with their children, thereby making them more apt to pick up warning signs. We know there is something serious happening with America's young people, because teen suicide rates have gone up 400 percent since the 1950s. One out of every five high school seniors have thought about suicide at least once in the year. That's pretty sobering."

Hipple, who regularly speaks to schools, hospitals, professional groups, law enforcement and military, said his presentations are hopeful and uplifting and delivered in an interactive manner.

"This is a subject that isn't discussed openly because of the stigma," he said. "But it doesn't have to be a depressing subject, even though there are serious consequences if the warning signs go untreated."

Hipple said he still follows the Lions, but laughed when asked if he was contacted recently when the team had quarterback problems.

"It's hard for the quarterback to do much when you're down 21-0 after the first quarter," he quipped. "If the Lions call me, it will be to play defensive line."