September 8th through the 14th is National Suicide Prevention Week. Death by suicide takes more teenage lives than automobile accidents. It's imperative that adolescents are encouraged to reach out to their supporters, including parents/guardians, teachers, coaches, etc. to disclose whether or not they are having negative thoughts about their current life situation.
Having a sense of belongingness to your school and/or home community can also help ward depressive thoughts and ideas. We all, even as adults, can have dark days, but it's important to practice good self-care strategies and share with others how we are feeling for help with ways to cope.
If you struggle with suicidal thoughts and intrusive negative thoughts and are not sure where to turn, you can always reach out to a school counselor and/or school psychologist at your school. In the absence of speaking to one of those persons, the following hotlines are available to reach out to someone anonymously:
Having a sense of belongingness to your school and/or home community can also help ward depressive thoughts and ideas. We all, even as adults, can have dark days, but it's important to practice good self-care strategies and share with others how we are feeling for help with ways to cope.
If you struggle with suicidal thoughts and intrusive negative thoughts and are not sure where to turn, you can always reach out to a school counselor and/or school psychologist at your school. In the absence of speaking to one of those persons, the following hotlines are available to reach out to someone anonymously:
- Teen Lifeline, 602-248-8336 (TEEN) or 1-800-248-8336 (TEEN)
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255
- Suicide Resource Center (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry