|
|
 |
|
The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
 |
It takes a team
to prevent youth suicide
By Melissa Martin
“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among school age
youth. However, suicide is preventable. Youth who are contemplating
suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress. Parents,
teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs
and get help,” according to the National Association of School
Psychologists.www.nasponline.org/.
The first line of offense and defense for awareness and prevention of
youth suicide begins with parents, guardians, caregivers, and foster
guardians. A specific educational program aimed at this group is vital.
Adults in the home must learn how to communicate with children
concerning suicide. A giant myth: talking about suicide to youth will
plant suicidal ideas in their brains. FALSE.
Communication can help prevent suicide. Adults in the home need to be
responsible for talking to their children (when age appropriate) about
suicide awareness and prevention. Not just once to get the conversation
over with, but on a regular basis. For example, when a celebrity
commits suicide, parents can check in with youth to listen, answer
questions, and review coping skills. Adults must become comfortable
with suicide prevention talk.
Relatives are part of the prevention team. Grandparents, aunts, and
uncles need to learn about suicide prevention. Parents need to
communicate with relatives and provide resource information.
The Ohio General Assembly enacted Revised Code Section 3319.073
requires school districts to provide professional in-service training
to address youth suicide awareness and prevention. Training is required
for every teacher, counselor, school psychologist, school nurse and
administrator, as well as other personnel that the board deems
appropriate. Football, basketball, baseball, and all coaches need to be
trained as well.
Pediatricians, general practitioners, nurse practitioners, dentists,
and other medical professionals can utilize screening questionnaires
about suicide with forms for youth and parents. Referrals can be made
to local mental health centers.
Pamphlets on suicide prevention need to be in the offices of all
helping professionals and all businesses. Hair saloons can put
prevention pamphlets next to magazines. Most youth make frequent visits
for hair appointments.
The county mental health center must be vigilante with ongoing
community education with parents, foster guardians, school personnel,
helping professionals, and the entire community.
Residents must support the local suicide prevention coalition with
their time and dollars. Attend their fundraisers and community programs
and projects.
Churches, temples, and synagogues can be on the team as well,
especially youth leaders and Sunday school teachers.
Every adult with a Facebook account can put suicide prevention
information on her/his page and website.
Educating youth to talk and tell when a friend or classmate discusses
or threatens suicide is important; however it is the responsibility of
adults to be proactive and not expect children to be the rescuers.
Youth demonstrate a strong sense of loyalty and confidentiality with
their peers.
We are living in the information age where facts, statistics,
pamphlets, posters, handouts, books, videos, movies about real suicide
stories, Apps, and social media sites discuss and display suicide
awareness and prevention knowledge. With the Internet, we have instant
access to warning signs and symptoms of suicide. We have 24-hour
suicide hotlines.
So, why do youth continue to commit suicide? Do we need better
prevention programs?
Or do we need to focus more on prevention and intervention of
depression and alcohol/drug abuse among teens?
“Alcohol use has consistently been implicated in adolescent suicide and
it is generally assumed that alcohol use leads to an increased risk in
suicidality, suicide attempts and completed suicides,” according to a
2007 article in the Journal of Adolescent Medical Heath.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.
“The majority of children and adolescents who attempt suicide have a
significant mental health disorder, usually depression,” according to
the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,”
www.aacap.org/.
In summary, suicide prevention programs need to focus on everything in
my article as well as bullying prevention and intervention.
Yes, it takes a team to prevent youth suicide.
Melissa Martin, Ph.D, is an author, columnist, educator, and therapist.
She resides in Southern Ohio. www.melissamartinchildrensauthor.com.
Contact her at melissamcolumnist@gmail.com.
|
|
|
|
