By Alex Temblador
There are an average of 117 suicides that occur each day in the U.S. 117. That’s not a number to be taken lightly, especially when we consider how many of those 117 are youth in America .
The CDC found that 17% of students, grades 9-12 have considered suicide within the last 12 months. But for LGBT youth, the number can be quite higher. LGBT youth are four times more likely to have attempted suicide than their heterosexual peers. A PSA by Mythic Bridge highlights the real fears and struggle that many LGBT youth face and how it may lead them to thoughts of suicide.
These are harrowing numbers for the youth of America, but that doesn’t mean we can’t fight back against them, especially in September which is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
So how can parents help lower the high rate of suicide among youth, LGBT or not? We’ve provided some tips below:
1.Be on the lookout for warning signs
Be involved with your kid and their life. Are they acting differently than usual or being more withdrawn? Are they abusing alcohol or drugs or harming themselves? Losing interest in the things they love? Are they admiring others who have committed suicide? Do they tend to be sleeping or feel tired more often and has their appetite changed? Have they talked about death, killing themselves, or dying?
Be present and aware of these things — as it’s best for your children to get help immediately.
2. Family History
We are not all determined by our past or our histories, but they can definitely come into play and increase the risk of suicide. If there’s a history of suicide, depression, drug or alcohol addiction, mental disorders or illnesses in your family, it could increase your child’s risk of suicide.
3. Major Events
Children, especially pre-teens and teens who are going through hormonal changes, are not always capable of dealing emotionally with major events in their lives. Events could include: rape or abuse in any form, parental divorce, death of a loved one, relationship breakup, homelessness, major injury, coming out as LGBT, or diagnosis of medical disorder. As a parent, be there when or if your child goes through any of these events, and better yet, provide your child with counseling to help them transition through the tough times and the emotional hurricane that they are going through.
Bullying and suicide are closely related. We’ve all seen the headlines: youth who have taken their lives because they were bullied at school and nothing was done to stop it. Be involved with your child’s education. If they mention that they are being bullied, do something about it. Talk to their teachers, their school, have a mediation meeting with the bully’s family, and if push comes to shove, move your child from that negative environment because it’s not worth your child having suicidal thoughts or attempting suicide.
5. Talk with your child
Always be involved with your child’s life. Talk to them at dinner time or before school and find out what’s going on with them and how they feel about things going on in their life. It’s easier to catch warning signs or to know how major events are affecting your children if you allow them an opportunity to share their feelings.
6. Seek immediate help
If you think your child is having suicidal thoughts or if they have attempted suicide, seek help immediately! Show your child that you as a parent care so much for them, that you will go to the ends of the earth to help them feel better and content in life.
7. Take preventative measures
There are ways in which parents can help lower their children’s risk for suicide. Be involved in their life and guide them toward an environment that is positive to their mental and physical well-being. If you keep guns at home, lock them away and do not leave the key lying about. Guns are most often used in suicides. The same could be said of prescription pills and drugs — lock them away. Monitor your teen’s internet usage and text messages. Talk to their teachers and see how they are doing in school socially and educationally. Get them involved in sports, activities, music, or whatever else might interest them.
We’ve provided you with the tips and now you have the power to protect your child from suicide. Let’s end the high rates of suicide this Suicide Prevention Awareness Month by sharing this article with other parents and standing together to help our youth of America.