Suicide attempts are increasing among children 10 to 14.
Stressors like academic pressure, social media, and mass violence contribute to declining youth mental health.
Parents are encouraged to monitor screen time, communicate openly about mental health, and seek professional help if needed.
Integrating mental health services into pediatricians’ offices and school health centers can help identify issues earlier.
Suicide risk for kids and teens is real … and it’s frightening. Most teens and young adults who attempted or completed suicide used to be in the 15- to 30-year age range. Now, we are seeing more kids attempt suicide between ages 10 and 14.
Kids are under more stress than ever before
Today’s kids feel pressure to excel in school and sports, often at young ages. Their packed after-school and summer schedules leave little time for unstructured play. Mass violence, societal unrest and natural disasters can add to their anxiety. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic had a lasting impact on how kids learned and socialized.
Kids cannot handle everything that is on the news and social media if there aren’t filters. As a parent, it is important to monitor your kids’ access – what they watch, how and with whom they engage, and how much time they spend online.
Social media and artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots also threaten adolescent mental health. Cyberbullying or things kids are prodded to do online can result in an emotional trigger that throws a switch in their developing brains. Kids are impulsive, and when they are in distress, ending their life seems like the best idea.Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
How to protect your child from suicidal ideation
Warning signs can vary, but they may include changes in appearance or personal hygiene; social withdrawal and a drop in grades; risky activities including drinking, drugs or unsafe sex; and self-harm behaviors such as cutting.
Communication is key to any good parent and child relationship, but especially if your child or teen struggles with their mental health. A common misperception is that talking to your child about suicide pushes them to try it. That is not true. It is OK to ask if they have thoughts of hurting themselves. If you are not comfortable having that conversation, get help from your child’s primary care provider or a pediatric mental health professional.
When I was a child, we played outside. We did not have smartphones and tablets, so we were not glued to devices. Our kids – and our nation as a whole – could benefit from families spending more quality time together. As simple as it seems, playing at the park or exploring nature on a hike will help you connect with your kids. Designate meals as media-free time without devices – for you and your children.
Your mental health is important, too. According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents, 48% of parents say their stress is “completely overwhelming” most days. If you are depressed or dealing with mental health issues, please seek help. Especially if you have young kids, as their decision making is influenced by their role models and what they see around them. Kids’ brains are not equipped to handle the constant influx of danger signals from their environment.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Find out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundation website www.yourgiftoflife.org Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
When kids don’t have access to help, they can die by suicide
One in every five children has a mental health issue, and half of those problems begin before age 15. It is critical to improve access to mental health resources for kids and teens. One way we can do this is with “behavioral health integration.” With this approach, mental health experts are embedded at medical care facilities such as a pediatrician’s office or school-based health center. These collaborations are proven to identify a child’s mental health issues earlier; improve the child’s comfort level by receiving care in a trusted and familiar setting; make mental health care easier for families to access; and enhance the care coordination between the primary care and mental health providers.
Resources are also essential for families: gun locks, lock boxes and educational materials about safe gun storage. If we can create some “distance” between a child’s impulsive suicidal thoughts and prevent them from having access to lethal means, we can save lives. By preventing the suicidal act and getting kids the care they need, we can help them go from surviving to thriving.
