Youth suicide prevention, awareness

Suicide among youths has increased throughout the U.S. within the past two decades. Just after accidents, it is now the second leading cause of death among persons 10 to 14 years in the U.S.

But did you know that suicide is preventable? Much like the proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” suicide prevention requires the awareness and participation of all community members.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cite seven strategies for suicide prevention:

• Strengthening economic support. Ensure financial security for households.
• Strengthening access to and delivery of suicide care. Offer education, assessment, and treatment in schools, clinics, and other community venues.
• Create protective environments. Reduce access to lethal means of self-harm (lock up and secure weapons).
• Promote connectedness. Involve youth in community activities/programs; create regular family activities.
• Teach coping/problem-solving skills. Share/teach ways that you cope with stress; involve youth in counseling, groups, and educational programs.
• Identify and support people at risk. Train community members to identify and respond to suicide risk.
• Lessen harm/prevent future risk. Surround at-risk individuals with support.

The American Psychological Asso-ciation offers these tips for parents concerned with child suicidality:

Express concern. Talking about concerns of suicide does not plant the idea in their head. Be open and honest. Ask about suicide using a direct approach (e.g., Have you had thoughts of suicide? Have you thought about how you would do this? Have you done anything to hurt yourself?).

Maintain connection. Isolation exacerbates suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Time spent with others – peers, family, or community members – safeguards at-risk youth from further isolation. Extra time with your child shows that you are genuinely concerned with his or her emotional well-being.

Be compassionate. Validate your child’s pain or suffering while communicating your value of preserving life. Let them know that you will support them and love them despite their having thoughts of death or self-harm. Refrain from guilt statements that focus on you as the parent or guardian but emphasize how important they are to you. For instance, emphasize their value by sharing with them — “You are important to me and I love you.” “Do you know how important you are to me, our family, and your friends?” or “How can I help you?” Avoid using statements that are focused on your own potential pain as statements about your own perceived pain might decrease communication with your child.

Trust your judgment. If your child denies having suicidal thoughts, but your “gut instinct” suggests otherwise, trust your intuition and take further steps to ensure safety.

Prioritize safety. Use the adage, “Safety First.” Remove access to any means of self-harm (most importantly, weapons), ensure the child is not left alone and make immediate contact with a professional to further evaluate safety concerns (e.g., emergency room, Mental Health Clinic).

RESOURCES
Germany Suicide Hotline:
0800 111 0 111 988
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
Call or text 988
Crisis Text Line:
http://www.crisistextline.org/
Free emotional support and information to teens in any type of crisis. Text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day. Text “HOME” to 741741.
Contact your child’s primary care manager directly.
Early Pediatric Intervention Clinic: +49 06371-46-2469
Contact DODEA schools directly for: Adolescent substance abuse counselors; military family life counselors