It’s crushing to think about, but second only to accidental death, suicide is the leading killer of teens and young adults, ages 12-24.
This informational campaign comes to you in partnership with the Tuscarawas County Anti-Drug Coalition.
It can be scary and nerve-racking to talk with your child about suicide. While some parents and guardians fear the topic of suicide will put the act into their child’s head, the opposite is actually true. Talking about suicide can relieve your child’s fear and anxiety, and give them an outlet through you to seek help. For every suicide, there are 100-200 attempted suicides.
Three Facts on Youth Suicide
1| There is a link between time spent on social media and teen depression. There is no proof or concrete research supporting a direct correlation between suicide and social media, but bullying online, societal pressure, and the heavy expectation on youth to succeed are all factors to be studied.
2 | Some children are at a higher risk for suicidal thoughts than others. Children who have experienced abuse, kids without positive role models, and those lacking parental presence are all at higher risk. Additionally, having a mental health condition greatly increases the odds of suicidal tendencies.
3| Oftentimes, there are major warning signs leading up to suicide. If your child is threatening to hurt herself or looking for a way to kill herself, seek help immediately. Hopelessness, increased substance use (alcohol and drugs), and dramatic mood changes are also red flags for suicide.
While risk factors are not warning signs, it’s important for parents, caregivers, teachers, and other mentors to be aware of the sign of depression. If you do suspect your child or a loved one is harming themself or thinking about suicide, contact National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), contact the Crisis Text Line by texting 4HOPE to 741741, or go to https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ for information or to chat online with a professional. The Lifeline is free and available 24/7.
Audrey Mattevi
Reporting