Maple asked Suzanne Young:

Do you ever feel concerned that your book, The Program, is sending the wrong message to young adults about suicide? The themes in your book express that people should fear talking about suicide or mourning for the loss of loved ones, because they may start to feel suicidal themselves. Further more, the book talks about suicide as though it is a disease that someone can catch like a cold.

Suzanne Young Thank you for your questions. The Program books are about the consequences of not talking about/not sharing your feelings. The danger IS The Program, which they all soon realize in the series. It's about the "good intentions" and how they are far more harmful in an attempt at a fast fix.

Suicidal clusters are sadly real and take place throughout the world. There is speculation, but no one knows why these clusters happen. It's a behavioral contagion rather than viral. But the hope is that talking about suicidal thoughts and seeking help would help prevent outbreaks of these clusters.

Again, thank you for your questions.

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