Be The One
Be The One
Youth suicide rates have been rising for the past two decades. Suicide rates for individuals aged 10-24 were stable from 2000 to 2007 but increased by nearly 60% between 2008 and 2018. In 2019, suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death among Hoosier youth ages 10-14 and the 3rd leading cause among Hoosier youth ages 15-19. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of treatment options for adolescents struggling with mood disorders and suicidal ideation. From 2012 to 2020, there was a 30% decline in residential treatment facilities that serve individuals under the age of 18 in the US meaning many youths deemed too high risk to send home are being housed in emergency departments and hospitals that are not well-equipped to treat them. There is scarce outpatient treatment options in many areas as well. The ratio of mental health providers in Indiana in 2020 was 590:1, an improvement from 2015 but still a number that leaves many without mental health services. Over half (52.4%) of all Indiana youth with a mental or behavioral health condition did not receive treatment or counseling in 2019 and 2020. So, what, as a society, can we do to prevent suicide? I recently read “Upstream: The Quest to Stop Problems Before They Happen” by Dan Heath. One theme throughout the book was that “macro starts with micro.” Big problems can seem insurmountable until we figure out how to help just one person. Once we understand how to help one person – and one more and then two more – we can start to bring interventions to scale and change systems so we bring about societal change. That requires an understanding of risk and protective factors for youth suicide.
In addition to the well-known risk factors like Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma, feelings of loneliness and low self-worth are also key predictors of depression and thoughts of suicide. Our kids are being inundated with pressure on all fronts at a time when their ability to self-regulate – to recognize and cope with their emotions – is still developing. School pressures, home pressures, social pressures – all compounded by constant connection with the world via social media and our achievement-obsessed culture – can lead youth to doubt their own self-worth. Meanwhile, kids are getting less of the things integral to healthy development. Less sleep, exercise and in-person contact with friends. Social connection is vital to healthy development and wellbeing. The increase in youth using social media to connect rather than connecting in-person has led to more youth feeling lonely even when they are interacting with peers online. Not only is social connection and support integral to healthy development, but it is also a powerful buffer when youth experience any sort of trauma. So what can you do?
Take Stewards of Children to learn how you can prevent the trauma of child sexual abuse.
Take QPR Gatekeeper training to learn how you can have open conversations about suicide and how to connect youth with support if they are thinking about suicide.
Bring these vital trainings to a group or organization you are a part of.
Talk to youth about the possible negative impact of social media. Encourage them to identify healthy limits to content and time spent online.
Encourage in-person, off-screen activities for youth. Be a part of those activities.
Try to make sure your children get enough sleep, exercise and face-to-face interactions. Make coping skills and mental wellness a normal part of family discussions.
If your child shows signs of struggling, get them into therapy as soon as possible. Don’t wait until they get to the point of a crisis to start therapy.
Finally, be the one for youth. Consider becoming a mentor, volunteer coach, or foster parent. Start or get involved in youth programs at your child’s school or place of worship.
If each one of us steps up in some way to be the one for a youth or a source of knowledge for family and neighbors, we can turn the tide on youth suicide.