Supporting Your Adolescent in the Face of Suicidal Thoughts
Earlier this month, the second season of the infamous Netflix series 13 Reasons Why premiered, setting up a new wave of outrage over the show's content.
Violence against children and suicide have sparked outrage among parents, educators, and mental health experts who have expressed their displeasure with the disturbing scenes. Because the show's primary viewership consists primarily of teenagers and young people, it is regarded particularly harmful, as research has shown that exposure to suicide through media and other sources is a risk factor for suicide in young people.
While public awareness and financing for mental health support programs have improved in recent years, the prevalence of teen suicide has not declined considerably since reaching an all-time high in 1997. Suicide continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the 15-19 age group, accounting for more than 35 percent of male deaths and more than 28 percent of female deaths in this age group.
If you have reason to believe that your adolescent is suffering from depression and having suicide thoughts, it is critical that you intervene immediately. Talking with your child can help lower the risk of suicide and assist your youngster in navigating difficult situations.
Your teen can benefit from your assistance and support in the following ways:
Talk to your child and pay attention to what he or she says.
Communicate your concern and the fact that they are not alone by chatting and hearing about their feelings without passing judgment. Support your loved one in understanding that bad times will pass and that while they may have suicide thoughts, they are not required to act on them.
Don't be scared to bring up the subject of suicide directly, and be open to discussing suicidal thoughts with others.
Maintain your composure.
If your kid is experiencing suicide thoughts, it's reasonable to be concerned. However, getting angry or attempting to make your youngster feel guilty will just make the problem worse.
Accept the fact that your child's emotions are genuine and that he or she will not be able to simply "cheer up" or "snap out of it."
Teens frequently avoid discussing their feelings or mental health with their parents because they are concerned about how they will be seen. Try to remain calm and demonstrate that you are available to assist and support them.
Keep an eye out for the warning signs.
Adolescence may be a challenging time to navigate, and it can be difficult to distinguish between normal teen "moody" behavior and signals that they may be at risk of committing suicide. Keep a look out for warning indicators such as the following:
Withdrawing from friends, school, and family is a common occurrence.
When people talk about feeling useless or hopeless, they are referring to themselves.
The appearance of happiness following a spell of despair is an example of dramatic swings in mood or personality.
Leaving valuable possessions behind
Increased use of illicit drugs or alcoholic beverages
Having weapons or drugs on hand
Frequently occurring discussions concerning death or suicide
Alterations in sleeping or eating patterns
Posts on social media that are disturbing or emotive.
If you suspect your kid is at risk of suicide, it is critical that you take the warning signals seriously and seek help from a medical expert or a suicide hotline such as Kids Helpline.
Together, come up with a safety plan.
You can't be with your child at all times of the day to ensure that they are protected. As suicide ideas might come and go, it is critical to assist your child in getting through the times when they are most sensitive to them.
Ensure that your teen will not act on any suicidal ideas before calling a suicide hotline or informing you or a friend about them.
You can also collaborate with a mental health expert or use an app like Beyond Now to develop a safety plan that will assist your kid in remaining safe and navigating through their most difficult times.
If you believe your child is in imminent danger of acting on suicidal ideas, stay with them and dial 9-1-1 immediately.