If you’re a teen who’s struggling, you are not alone. According to Dr. Vivek Murthy in his 2021 U.S. Surgeon General Report, “Even before the pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide—and rates have increased over the past decade.”

“We cannot sit idly by,” says American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) President Gabrielle Carlson, M.D. “This is a national emergency, and the time for swift and deliberate action is now.”

Suicidal behaviors are on the rise. According to the 2019 Youth Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, nearly 19% of high schoolers have seriously considered a suicide attempt, with almost half (8.9%) acting on those thoughts. Parents need to be informed and learn how to talk to their teens in an honest and open fashion, according to a very thorough Parents Magazine article. Drawing on expert advice on how to broach the subject of mental health with teens, it offers concrete suggestions:

• Ask your child how they’re doing, and what’s happening in their world.
• Listen intently and without judgment.
• Try to understand where your child is coming from. Educate yourself on the stressors teens face.
• Validate your child and acknowledge their frustrations, feelings, and fears.
• Ask follow-up questions like, “Tell me more about that.”
• Be patient if they’re not ready to share, and leave an open invitation for future discussion.

The article also addresses how to talk to your teen about suicide. Many parents are afraid to discuss suicide with their children, fearing it will somehow make it more likely or plant an idea where none exists. Experts like Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, Chief Medical Officer of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, stress that the opposite is true: “If your child is talking about any level of distress, don’t be afraid to ask whether they’re feeling changes in their mood or level of stress, or having thoughts about suicide. Asking your child directly about suicide will not increase their risk or plant the idea. Rather, it will create an opportunity to offer support, and let them know you care enough to have the conversation.”

Finally, if a child is––or seems––suicidal, experts stress not to try to talk or “love them out of it.” Get professional help: “Contact a mental health professional immediately and/or take them for assessment at an inpatient facility. This doesn’t mean that they will be admitted, but it is best to allow a trained professional to determine suicidality.”

The article also lists warning signs of suicidality and highlights multiple resources that exist for suicidal teens:

• Crisis Text Line: Free and completely confidential, Crisis Text Line offers SMS mental health services to anyone “in crisis.” Simply text “HOME” to 741-741 to connect with a trained counselor.
• notOK App: Are you hurting? Struggling? Perhaps you’re having a hard time reaching out? Download the notOK app now to let others know you need support––via text, phone call, or GPS location.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Free and accessible 24/7, this service is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Call 1-800-273-8255.
• The Trevor Project: Founded in 1998 for LGBTQ+ youth, The Trevor Project provides crisis intervention services to those aged 25 and under. Call The Trevor Lifeline at 866-488-7386 for immediate support.

Read the full article here.

Zapata, Kimberly. “Teens Are in a Mental Health Crisis––Here’s How Parents Can Help.” Parents Magazine, 10 Mar 2022, https://www.parents.com/health/mental/teens-are-in-a-mental-health-crisis-heres-how-parents-can-help/