Suicide Prevention: Advice and Resources for At-Risk Youth and Their Families
Please note that the subject of suicide can be triggering for some readers. If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, call 988 for confidential support.听
Suicide Prevention Week falls shortly after Labor Day this year, from September 10 to 16. With the start of the new school term, it鈥檚 a propitious time to draw attention to a horrific event that no parent should ever have to face.听听
A leading cause of death for children and youth aged 10 to 24鈥second only to gun-related incidents鈥suicide is actually preventable. Just how to do that is the subject of this article, which aims to offer practical advice for youth and families, as well as a variety of resources that may be helpful during a crisis.听
We鈥檝e been seeing more and more youth suicide in recent years, says Dr. Cori Green, Vice Chair of Behavioral Health Integration and Innovation in Pediatrics, Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics and Associate Attending Pediatrician at 91麻豆精品. The COVID-19 pandemic, earlier school closings and a widespread sense of uncertainty have all played a role in that increase, she says, but there are other factors that contribute to a child鈥檚 risk for completing or threatening to attempt suicide:听
- a family history of suicide听
- a diagnosed mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety or ADHD with impulsivity听
- trauma, bullying or gender dysphoria听
- exposure to family violence, including physical or sexual abuse听
- social isolation听
- substance use听
- family or peer conflict听
- the presence of guns or other lethal means in the home听
Be aware that the majority of kids with these risk factors will not commit suicide.听
Read on for more answers to your FAQs about this unthinkable phenomenon, including the best resources available to help your kids before a tragedy occurs.听听
Is it okay to talk about suicide with our kids?听
鈥淚t鈥檚 a myth that the more you talk about suicide, the more likely that the idea will pop into their minds,鈥 Dr. Green says. 鈥For one, kids have heard about suicide. They read about it on social media, and they see movies about it. Studies show that discussing it actually lessens risk. Opening the door to a conversation about suicide can be protective.鈥听
What should you do if one of your friends says they鈥檙e thinking about suicide, or if they鈥檝e been posting messages about it on social media?听
If you鈥檙e a friend who sees such a social media post, reach out to the parents of that child or teen immediately.听听
What are some of the red flags parents should look for?听
Open the conversation about suicide and self-harm with your child if they exhibit any of the following behaviors:听听
- withdrawing from family interaction or other activities听
- not acting like themselves听
- a change in habits or behavior听
- not doing the things they usually do, such as afterschool activities or hanging out with friends听
- sleeping too much or not enough听
- feeling or displaying irritability听
- mood changes, including depression, anxiety and agitation听
- talking about feeling hopeless, being a burden, having no reason to live or wanting to die or kill themselves.听
What steps can families take when a child is in crisis?听
If you鈥檙e worried about your child鈥檚 immediate safety, call 911 or bring them to the nearest Emergency Room. Also consider calling 988鈥攁 resource designed to deal with emotional emergencies.听
If your child isn鈥檛 necessarily in crisis but at risk, according to some or all of the foregoing criteria, offer support and take the opportunity to speak openly and without judgment about suicide. At a minimum, reach out to your pediatrician or family doctor.听听
What should families do to keep their homes safe and make it harder for a child to make a fatal decision?听
Guns need to be locked, and ammunition should be kept separate from the gun. Gun safety is for everyone, even without the risk of suicide. Other lethal means such as knives, ropes and razors should be out of reach as well.听
Medication should be kept out of reach too. 鈥淧eople can overdose on ibuprofen and even on Tylenol,鈥 Dr. Green says.听听
In New York City, tall buildings are a special hazard. Parents can take special care to prevent their child from accessing one of the city鈥檚 tall structures. And make sure to install or replace the window guards in your apartment鈥攁nother way to make it more difficult for your child to make an impulsive, irrevocable decision.听
Should children鈥檚 threats of suicide always be taken seriously? What if it鈥檚 just stress?听听
鈥淎lways take it seriously,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just a cry for help. And even if it was, you鈥檇 have to wonder why the child needs help. At the very least, it would indicate that something is going on that鈥檚 worth investigating and taking seriously. If you suspect the worst, speak to your child or teen, make your house or apartment safe and call your doctor.鈥听
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline鈥988鈥攊s an invaluable resource. Program that number into your phone, just in case, and share it with your child.听听
If you live in the New York Metropolitan Area, also consider calling NYC Well at 1-888-NYC-WELL or text WELL to 65173. Counselors are on hand to help your child cope 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in more than 200 languages. Like 988, NYC Well is free and confidential.听