As #mentalhealthproblems continue to rise among #teens, acting to prevent #suicide grows more important

- By Claire McCarthy, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing

#Parents like to think that they know what is going on with their #children — and that they would know if their #teen was #suicidal. However, research shows that this is not always the case.

Teens may consider #suicide more often than #parents realize

In a study published a few years ago in the journal Pediatrics, researchers interviewed more than 5,000 #adolescents ages 11 to 17. In those interviews, they asked them if they had ever thought about killing themselves — or if they had ever thought a lot about death or dying. The #teens' #parents were asked if they believed that their #teens had ever thought about killing themselves, or had thought a lot about death or dying.

There wasn't a whole lot of match-up. Half of the #parents of the #adolescents who thought of killing themselves were unaware — as were three-quarters of the #parents of #adolescents who thought often about death.

This disconnect looms larger as research shows #mentalhealthproblems are on the rise in #youth. According to the 2021 #Youth Risk #Behavioral Survey, 42% of #highschoolstudents reported persistent feelings of sadness and #hopelessness; 22% seriously considered #suicide, and 10% attempted it.

The numbers were higher for #girls and #youth who identify as #LGBTQ+:

- Almost 60% of #girls experienced persistent sadness and #hopelessness; 30% seriously considered attempting #suicide, and 13% attempted it.

- Among #LGBTQ+ #youth, 70% experienced persistent sadness and #hopelessness; 45% seriously considered attempting #suicide, and 22% attempted it.

Many factors contribute to this. #Stress and #isolation caused by the #pandemic clearly played a role. While #teens are back in #school, re-entry has been difficult for many. #Socialmedia clearly plays a role, inviting unrealistic comparisons, reinforcing negative thoughts and ideas, and encouraging doomscrolling. It is also a source of #bullying: in the report, 16% of #highschool #students reported being bullied electronically, including 20% of #girls and 27% of those who identify as #LGBTQ+.

Why the disconnect between #teens and #parents?

It's not that surprising that #parents don't always know that their #teens are considering #suicide. #Teens may not always realize how bad they are feeling, and may not want to tell their #parents when they do — both for fear of worrying them, and also because of uncertainty about how their #parents might react.

#Parents may miss signs of #depression in their #teens, or quite genuinely misinterpret them or attribute them to something innocent; after all, it's natural to want to believe that your #child is fine, rather than thinking that they might be #suicidal. And given how much drama can be intrinsic to the life of a #teen, it's understandable that #parents could misinterpret statements about death or dying as, well, just #teen drama.

#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/JamesMentalHealthArticleFind out more about the work I do on my 501c3 non-profit foundationwebsite 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

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What can #parents do?

- Be aware of signs of #depression in #teens, and never ignore them. Acting sad is one of them, but there are many others:

- dropping grades

- being irritable or angry often

- acting bored all the time, and/or dropping out of activities

- difficulty with relationships, including changing peer groups or becoming more isolated

- dangerous or risky #behavior

- persistent physical complaints such as headaches or stomachaches

- fatigue.

- Listen to your #teen, and never assume that statements like "nobody cares if I live or die" are just drama. Instead of saying, "You don't mean that," ask them if they do mean it. Often #parents worry that asking about #suicide might "give them ideas," but asking may be the only way to know — and the best way to show your #teen that you are taking them seriously.

- Learn how to have tough conversations about #mentalhealth and #suicide. The #AmericanAcademyofPediatrics has many tips and resources for #parents.

- Get help. Call your #doctor, call a #mentalhealthprofessional, call the new nationwide number #988 that can link you to local help like a #suicidehotline, or take your #child to a local emergency room. This is crucial. If counseling is recommended, do your best to schedule it, letting your #doctor know if you are having trouble finding a provider. Make sure your #teen sticks with it.

- If you suspect your #teen may be depressed or #suicidal, take precautions. If you have a gun in your house, make sure it is locked up with the ammunition locked separately. Take stock of prescription medications and #alcohol in your house that could be used for #self-harm, and either get rid of them or be sure they are stored safely.

Sometimes it is just drama — or short-term blues after a breakup or another one of life's inevitable disappointments. And in the study, half of the #teens whose #parents thought they were #suicidal, and two-thirds of those whose #parents believed their #teens thought about death, said they were fine. But when it comes to #suicide, it's always better to be safe than sorry. So ask the questions — and ask for help.
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