The need for schools to emphasize the importance for teens’ mental health increases every day. Suicides continue to be an issue, being the second leading cause of death for children and young adults ages 15-24 (aacap).
It’s not easy to admit to yourself or anyone else that you are struggling, but it’s also the first step needed in getting the right help for you. Suicide is a hard topic to talk about for anyone, but especially for young people. Nobody wants to have that difficult conversation with the people that they love, but we truly don’t understand how important it is to check in on the ones around us when there are signs that someone may be having suicidal thoughts.
In honor of World Mental Health Day, please take time to check in on your friends and family, because you never know what someone is going through until it’s too late.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, some of the warning signs of suicide including talking about being a burden to others, being distant from friends and family, or giving away important possessions.
While it is not reasonable to expect to feel happy all of the time, it is unhealthy to be consistently feeling hopeless or as though you do not matter. Knowing that you are loved, cared for, and valuable is strong enough to get you through even the toughest of times, so make sure to tell your loved ones that they are loved, cared for, and valuable.
LOOKING FOR HELP?
- Call the hotline at 988
- Visit https://988lifeline.org/help-yourself/youth/
- Talk to a trusted adult or ask to schedule some time with Mrs. Patterson ([email protected])
FOR MORE INFORMATION…
- https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day
- https://www.un.org/en/healthy-workforce/world-mental-health-day
