speakers on depression/suicide prevention

A few weeks ago the high school principal sent out a group e-mail to the parents of both the high school and middle school parents informing us about the results of a study/survey that was conducted, by a local university, last spring on the 8th grade (now 9th grade) students.  The study revealed that this particular class had above county depression and suicidal ideation rates.  Apparently, the results had been revealed to the parents of this particular class, prior to this e-mail, which caused this principal to "jump into action", which is what he said in his e-mail.  He ended it by saying that this should be a "fabulous, informative" meeting.  Strange.  Although I managed to get a speaker to address students, a speaker to address teachers at their in-service, and raise money (winning first place) for a depression awareness/suicide prevention group that educates students at the school - none of it was easy.  He NEVER JUMPED INTO ACTION when I tried on my own to bring more awareness in the past. Maybe the "studies" didn't warrant any "action" at that time.  Regardless, I am glad it's being addressed.   Funny, whenever I did bring in speakers before, I failed to explain to them, fully, one of the messages I needed them to address.  This one reason is the reason I've been trying to get across for years and is also the reason I raised nearly $6000.00 over the last two years, basically, on my own.  So what did I do?  I e-mailed both presenters, that the principal hired, and asked them to address this one particular thing for me.  I explained to them the attitude the administration and teachers had toward my son's depression.  More than one teacher told me in so many ways that they did not believe my son had depression.  I didn't respond to them the way I wish I would have, however, because I didn't know enough about it to respond or react to what they were saying at the time.  I actually was in shock, too, being that my son was in the hospital for days for suicidal ideation, was put on a new medication he was adjusting to, and was just started therapy, thinking that information was enough to satisfy them.  I even tried to "educate" them on what I knew in a meeting but I felt a resistance and attitude.  It was the strangest thing.   One teacher lost patience with my son two weeks after he was released from the hospital -saying that "if he doesn't come to me for help on his assignments" she will no longer help him.  "It's a privilege to receive help from me".  She also complained that all he did was doodle.  Little did either of us know, at the time, that he was doodling "I'm so sad" all over that paper and a newspaper that was dated a month after she sent that e-mail.    When I e-mailed the presenters I told them that I wanted to make one thing clear - that I didn't blame them for their ignorance.  I did understand, to a degree, why they didn't believe the diagnosis.  Actually both the principal and his guidance counselor told me that "if anything" they would have believed he was bipolar as opposed to just depression.  And what difference would that make?  Anyway - the reason they had a problem with my son's diagnosis was that he was still very social and involved in activities  Over the top social.  Apparently, he liked to call attention to himself by acting "wild".  He was never, ever disrespectful (liked by many) but he did get a repuation of being "crazy J".   Fast forward - I found out, after some investigating, that although he had all of the traits of depression except for the obvious signs -  withdrawal from and loss of interest in pleasurable activities - that there is one thing that is not widely known.  "Although many suicidal teens appear depressed or downcast, others hide their problems underneath a disguise of excess energy!  That was my son!  Finally I can get that message out.  It's too bad that the teachers won't hear it.  Oh well.......at least someone will hear. Now I am completely finished with this cause.