September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we use this month to raise awareness and share prevention information. Our goal is to ensure that parents and caregivers have access to the resources and helpful information for supporting their children's mental health.

Suicide is in the news and popular entertainment now more than ever, especially among teens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently uncovered that an alarming 13.8 % -18.8% percent of high school students nationwide have had serious thoughts of committing suicide, or suicidal ideation, in the past year.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/su/su7103a3.htm

You can play a role in building up your child’s mental health by becoming aware of the risk factors and warning signs that can lead to suicide, making yourself available to your child, knowing how to practice having a caring conversation, and being aware that help is available.

There’s no single cause for suicide. Suicide most often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience of hopelessness and despair. Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it is often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase risk for suicide.

Many children have times when they are sad or down. Occasional sadness is a normal part of growing up. However, if children are sad, irritable, or no longer enjoy things, and this occurs day after day, it may be a sign that they are suffering from major depressive disorder, commonly known as depression. Some people think that only adults become depressed. In fact, children and teens can experience depression, and studies show that it is on the rise.

It affects how your child thinks, feels, and behaves, and it can cause emotional, functional, and physical problems.

Common symptoms of depression in children and adolescents include:

• Behavioral problems at school
• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
• Lack of interest in fun activities
• Low energy levels or general tiredness
• Caring less about school or not doing as well in school
• Changes in appetite and/or weight
• Mood changes, such as irritability

Anxiety is a very general term used to describe a feeling of extreme worry or unease. Feeling anxious is natural after something upsetting happens. But when a child feels anxiety that lasts a long time and prevents them from doing things like going to school or seeing friends, then it becomes an anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of anxiety in children vs. teens

Among the most common symptoms in children are:

• Difficulty concentrating
• Problems with sleep or nightmares
• Having tantrums or anger issues
• Being tense or fidgety
• Frequent periods of crying
• Complaining often about not feeling well.

Anxiety in teens is not always apparent because they tend to disguise their thoughts and feelings. Some of the signs to look out for are:

• Constant fears or worries about routine aspects of their lives
• Withdrawal from friends or social activities.
• Irritability or lashing out at others.
• Difficulties in school or sudden poor performance.
• Refusal to go to school.
• Sleep problems.
• Substance abuse.
• Constantly seeking reassurance.

Risk factors are characteristics or conditions that increase the chance that a person may try to take their life.

• History of depression and other mental illnesses
• Substance abuse
• Feeling of hopelessness or isolation
• Family history of suicide or abuse
• Impulsive or aggressive tendencies
• Stigma against seeking help
• Access to lethal means including firearms and medications

Protective factors are the kinds of things that tend to have a blanket positive impact.

• Effective coping and problem-solving skills
• Reasons to live (for example, family, friends, purpose, etc.)
• Strong sense of cultural identity
• Support from parents and family
• Feeling connected to school and community
  
• Effective treatment for mental health, physical and substance abuse disorders
• Support for seeking and easy access to interventions

A warning sign is an indication that someone might be having thoughts of suicide. Most people give clues or signals of their intentions.

Take your observations seriously – even if your child is not thinking about suicide, there is no harm in asking. Research has proven that asking about suicide cannot plant the idea in someone’s mind. It can actually be a relief if the person has been keeping suicidal thoughts secret – it exposes them to the light of day and begins the process of getting help.

Talking about these issues can be tough for families. In our society, mental health isn’t discussed openly like physical health. Feelings of depression are often hidden because youth are confused, embarrassed or ashamed and this secrecy can have dire consequences. You can help protect your child and their friends by starting a conversation about mental health.

How do you bring up the subject?

Directly! Say something like: “You haven’t been yourself lately. I’ve noticed some things that concern me.”

At this point, mention those changes you noticed, then follow up with a statement like: “I’ve heard that sometimes when kids act the way you do, they may think life isn’t worth living anymore. Have you ever thought about taking your life?”

If your child isn’t ready to talk, leave the invitation open for later by saying, “Whenever you want to talk, I’m here to listen and support you.” You could add “I won’t judge, and I’ll never stop supporting you, no matter what challenges you face.”

LISTEN to the answer!

When your teen starts to open up, be careful not to fall into the trap of jumping in with a solution or by saying, “You should…” or “Why didn’t you…”

Listen intently and without judgment. Ask open-ended questions, those that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. Resist the urge to offer quick fixes or solutions to their challenges, which tends to shut down further dialog. Validate and support their feelings. Focus on being understanding and caring.

If your child responds affirmatively, ask them to tell you more:

• When do they think about suicide?
• How often do they think about it?
• If they have a plan or have practiced it?

Ensure the environment is safe: positive answers to these questions, especially the last one, mean you need to get your child help immediately! It is also important that you immediately remove all the things in your house that could be deadly, especially firearms and medication (both prescription and over-the-counter drugs). Keep them somewhere else (outside the home) until you are sure the risk of suicide has passed.

If you suspect that a youth is in imminent danger, get help IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait until things “blow over” or calm down.

• Call 988 or take the youth to an emergency room or walk-in clinic.
• Never leave the youth alone – wait with the youth until help arrives.

• Learn the warning signs and risk factors of suicide
• Find a Mental Health First Aid course near you
• Use your social media to promote suicide prevention campaigns
• Get informed about local suicide prevention resources
• Support a friend, if you know is struggling

• Do not counsel a person yourself, seek professional help

• Take suicidal statements seriously

• If a person says they are considering suicide, stay with them and call 988

• Provide positive feedback and encouragement

• Spending quality time with your child
  

• Let them know they are loved and supported

• Be attentive to what they say

• Talk about emotions and feelings regularly

• Have realistic expectations

• Encourage your child to build meaningful friendships

• Encourage physical activity

• Avoid comparison

• Be a positive role model
  

  
  

https://988lifeline.org

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

https://heartlineoklahoma.org/heartlineoklahoma.org-youth-crisis-mobile-response

When a young person is in crisis—behavioral or emotional, physical or social, at home or at school—we can help. Our caring call center specialists will help talk through the “what’s going on”—big or small. We’ll work to provide support over the phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And we can connect the young person (child, teen, or young adult) with local mental health professionals who can come to their home in 1- to 24 hours.

If you’re a young person in crisis, we’re here for you. If you’re an adult trying to support a young person in crisis, we can help. It all starts with one free call, 1-833-885-2273.

https://www.crisistextline.org/

Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime.

Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from our secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

safeschools@durantisd.org 580-924-1276

The mission of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools program is to help ensure that children are mentally and physically ready to learn and have healthy and supportive families, and to promote a safe community by equipping individuals with skills, knowledge, standards, and resources to live healthy lives.

Meet the Safe Schools Team

Delinda Knox, Director

delinda.knox.knox@durantisd.org

Yubelis Williams, Prevention Coordinator

yubelis.williams-diaz@durantisd.org

Debbie Crites, M.E., M.A., L.P.C.

debbie.crites@durantisd.org

Cassie Mullens, M.B.S., L.P.C.

cassie.mullens@durantisd.org

Becky Britton, School-Based Social Worker

becky.britton@durantisd.org

Gary Richards, School-Based Social Worker

gary.richards@durantisd.org