Suicide among teenagers has been on the rise since 2007. According to the CDC, the number of teen suicide deaths increased by 60% between 2007 and 2018. Since then, the pandemic’s social distancing and isolation have added to the difficulties that troubled teens face on a daily basis. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 34. Take Online Counselling from an expert counselor if you think that you are facing any such issues.
Feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and depression can affect anyone at any age. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand what our children are thinking and feeling as they grow older. The reality is that today’s teenagers are dealing with crippling mental health issues.
Understanding how to help a suicidal adolescent can help prevent tragedy. We’ll go over how to recognize early suicide warning signs in teenagers and some of the steps you can take to help your teen cope, heal, and find happiness again. We’ll also talk about how online counselling can help.
Understanding and recognizing teen suicide warning signs as early as possible is essential for knowing how to help a suicidal teenager. It is critical to assist a teen at or near the first signs of suicidal ideation. The sooner suicide prevention measures are implemented, the sooner healing can begin.
Listen to Your Teen and Acknowledge Their Feelings
Teen suicide risk can be increased by poor communication with parents. If your relationship with your adolescent is suffering, try stepping outside of your comfort zone. Go to any length to demonstrate to your adolescents that you are serious about understanding them, their needs, fears, and feelings. Teens, on the other hand, need to feel respected by their parents and able to confide in them, not just understood.
Ask Questions
Remember to inquire about adolescent suicidal thoughts. It can be upsetting to discover that your adolescent has suicidal thoughts. Nonetheless, it is critical to be proactive. If you are concerned that your teen is considering self-harm or suicidal ideation, be direct and calm and simply ask, “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
If your teen admits to having these thoughts, this simple question could save his or her life. Assure them that you care and are committed to helping them, and then seek professional assistance right away.
Seeking Professional Help for Your Teen
If you are concerned about your adolescent’s actions or behaviors, make an appointment with your pediatrician right away. Instead, contact a local mental health professional for Online Counselling that evaluates adolescents.
Understanding how to help a suicidal teen entails connecting with them and providing unconditional support. Seek professional help, and then do your part to assist your young adult in seeing, understanding, and thinking past the obstacles that are weighing them down. Remind them that life is only as beautiful as they allow it to be.
Connect with Them so they Don’t Feel Alone
Knowing how to deal with a suicidal adolescent entails making an effort to develop and demonstrate a personal connection with them. Suicidal teens may feel very alone in this world as if no one “gets” them. These feelings of isolation are common, and connecting with others can help. Let your teen know that everyone experiences depression, anxiety, and sadness from time to time. Assure them that difficult times will pass. Remind them of happy times and give them the support they need to relax and rethink their situation.
Encourage Your Teen to Socialize with Others
Understanding how to help suicidal adolescents sometimes entails encouraging them to become more involved in their surroundings. Teenagers may complain, but most of the time, they will benefit greatly from family gatherings, social events, and personal hobbies.
Encourage your teen to form personal or virtual relationships with others. Even in the midst of the pandemic’s limited physical interaction, teenagers can connect with others virtually, or they can join physical clubs and groups during more normal times to gain a new understanding of the challenges they face. At the very least, they may form a bond with a peer who understands how they feel and what they’re going through.
Being a teenager today can be difficult. Teens are subjected to enormous amounts of pressure from all directions. They are under intense pressure from school, social media, social circles, the need to succeed in college, and everything else. It all adds weight to a teen’s shoulders, and sometimes the result is teenage suicidal thoughts.
