Polish Radio for You (RDC)

I appeared twice on Radio RDC (Polskie Radio dla Ciebie) — a major Warsaw-based public radio station — to discuss mental health crises among children and teenagers, drawing on my personal experience as a parent.

Episode 1: Mental health crises among children and youth

Program: “Jest sprawa” (It’s a matter) — a journalistic program covering social issues Host: Jerzy Chodorek Date: April 18, 2023 Duration: 16 min 26 s

In this episode I discussed the scale of the problem with mental health crises among young people in Poland. According to Polish National Police data, at least six teenagers attempt suicide every day. Poland holds the unfortunate second place in Europe for adolescent suicides.

I shared my perspective as a father whose child went through a suicidal crisis — how the hospital discharged her without adequate support, and how our family had to navigate the mental health system largely on our own. We talked about recognizing warning signs that parents often miss: withdrawal from friends, sudden changes in clothing (long sleeves in summer to hide self-harm marks), and shifts in academic performance.

The episode also covered the systemic problems in Polish child psychiatry — the severe shortage of specialists, long waiting lists, and the gap between what families need and what the healthcare system provides.

Episode 2: Child depression or crisis

Program: “Popołudnie RDC” (RDC Afternoon) Host: Beata Jewiarz Date: April 24, 2023 Duration: 15 min 39 s

Just six days after the first appearance, I returned to Radio RDC for a longer conversation about childhood depression. This time we focused on the parent’s perspective — how to tell the difference between normal teenage mood swings and clinical depression, and what to do when you realize your child is in crisis.

Key topics included the importance of listening without judgment, avoiding the trap of comparing your child’s problems to your own experiences (“when I was your age…”), and understanding that what seems trivial to adults can be a genuine crisis for a teenager. We also discussed practical steps: when to seek professional help, how to talk to your child’s school, and how to access crisis support in Poland.

I emphasized that depression in children is not a sign of bad parenting — it can affect any family. The most important thing is to talk about it openly and seek help early, before a crisis escalates.

Where to get help

If you or someone you know is in crisis, reach out:

• Poland: Telefon Zaufania dla Dzieci i Młodzieży — 116 111
• Poland: Centrum Wsparcia dla osób dorosłych w kryzysie psychicznym — 800 70 2222
• International: Życie Warte Jest Rozmowy — educational platform for people in suicidal crisis
• USA: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 988

Why media appearances matter for mental health advocacy

Public radio reaches audiences who may never encounter mental health content on social media or specialized websites. Many listeners of Radio RDC are parents and grandparents in the Warsaw metropolitan area — precisely the demographic that needs to hear these conversations. By speaking openly about a child’s psychiatric crisis on a mainstream radio station, the goal is to normalize the topic and reduce the shame that prevents families from seeking help early. Each appearance is an opportunity to reach someone who might recognize their own family’s situation and take the first step toward professional support.