Suicide in teens is the second leading cause of death in the US and there are many more who think about suicide. Over 3 million between the ages of 15 and 19 think about it at some time, half of them will make an attempt and half of them will hurt themselves enough to require medical help. Once something that was not seen often it is now a real problem and yet people think still that by not talking about it, they can prevent it from happening. Or that if they do talk to their teens about it, they might somehow make them think of it and do it. With the help of a behavioral health toolkit and different support groups and charities, you can help the youths in America. Studies show time and again that talking about suicide actually makes them less likely to do it not more.
Preventing suicide
The way you can prevent suicide is to prepare, talk and recognize the signs. You can make use of training, charities, a mental health crisis toolkitand other resources too. Signs might include but are not limited to;
- Talking about dying, death or suicide
- Being depressed
- Being tired and either sleeping too much or not enough
- Changes in normal behavior
- Not wanting to eat or overeating
- Using alcohol or abusing substances
- Being anxious
- Being angry and expressing it in bouts of rage
- Not performing as well at school
- Expressing feeling of being helpless or hopelessness
- Driving too fast or other activities that are dangerous
- Not wanting to be with people or to do things they once like
- Giving away their things
- Writing suicide notes
- Not being able to think clearly and a lack of focus
Talking to your teens
With the help of resources like a behavioral health toolkit you can help your teen. Talking with them is crucial and should include;
- Make sure they know you love them and that they are important, valued and respected
- Listen to them and do not dismiss their thoughts, opinions, ideas and so on
- Tell them you are worried about them
- Ask them directly and use blunt terms, do you want to kill yourself, are you thinking about suicide?
- Make sure they know it is ok and that with the help of professionals, others and a mental health crisis toolkit you will work on it together
- Connect yourself with helplines and resources as well as connecting them with them
Summary
The best way to prevent teens committing suicide is to recognize the signs and to take action and talk about it. Asking them about it gives them a chance to talk about it and to find love and support. It does not give them the idea that suicide is a solution that they didn’t think of till then. It is important to watch for the signs and to make yourself aware of what support and resources there are.