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In 2017 suicide was the second leading cause of death for people in this age range.
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Asking about suicide doesnt increase the risk of suicide.
Your kid may say, Oh, Id never do that.
Experts dont know exactly why the rate of teen suicide is rising.
Its also worth mentioning that theres a possibility the rate isnt going up as much as it seems.
(Stigma surrounding suicide typically leads to underreporting, according to theAmerican Foundation for Suicide Prevention.)
All that said, there is currently no research that ties anything directly to the rising teen suicide rate.
The challenge is that there are a lot of people who are struggling andsuffering in silence, says Emanuele.
Bullying is also a risk factor worth paying attention to from both sides.
Researchers have also theorized about a relationship between perfectionism and suicide risk.
There are many observable warning signs of suicide.
Even if a depressed teen isnt suicidal, they still need your help.
There are important differences between normal teen moodiness and red flags.
You might be wondering, Wait, some of those signs sound like normal teenage behavior.
What teen doesnt deal with stressful situations or occasionally get depressed or angry?
But sometimes those emotions can signal larger issues.
Specifically, its really important to pay attention to the duration of these signs, according to Emanuele.
Youd be surprised by how many people justdont talk to their kids, says Emanuele.
The good thing is that its never too late to start.
The first couple of times [are] going to be awkward, says Mazza.
So I want to ask how youre doing.
The message is, I care about you and I dont know whats going on in your life.
Can you kindly share with me?
(Maybe over something fun, like a pizza or game night.)
If youre worried about your childs mental health, it’s possible for you to take action.
According to Tellone, parents should do some honest self-reflection before bringing up suicide and mental health.
Awareness of how these beliefs and attitudes might come through is a good place to start.
Second, ask yourself, Am I prepared to hear the answer to this question?
The other items on this list will help you develop a plan for responding.
I know we went over this earlier, but it bears repeating: Dont beat around the bush.
For example, Are you feeling so sad that youre thinking about hurting yourself?
or, Are you feeling so sad that life is getting hard to live?
Keep asking, says Emanuele.
Dont just say, Well, they said they were fine!
You stick with it.
When your child starts to talk,listen, says Emanuele.
This is not a time for you to lecture.
This is not a time for you to give information.
Dont have a go at problem-solve.
Show them that you understand where theyre coming from, even if youre freaking out inside.
A big part of that is going over the possibility of seeking professional help.
Go over the options together and let them have a say in the matter.
For example, maybe theyd rather utilize a teletherapy service likeBetterHelporTalkspaceinstead of going into the office.
Tellone recommends removing any firearms from your home completely.
Kids will find a way.
The same goes for any medication that someone might be able to use to overdose.
Pay attention to the seemingly harmless medications you buy in bulk, too, such as over-the-counter pain relievers.
you might call or text yourself, encourage them to call or text, or do it together.
Keep in mind that this isnt about you.
You might find yourself asking, What did I do?
Is this my fault?
According to Emanuele, this line of thinking is too simplified.
Parents arent perfect, says Emanuele.
But self-blame is actually distracting from the problem at hand.
Your kid needs help, and thats your focus.
That said, its still important that you have your own outlets to explore those feelings.
Have others support you in supporting your child.
Lastly, here are some resources for your child and yourself.
But dont be afraid to utilize resources too.
And here is a list ofinternational suicide helplinesif youre outside the United States.
