#momsspillthetea ☕

Today we have yet another beautiful and talented mama, Karen Posselt. Karen runs the website Nourishing Tweens. She specializes in planning amazing family vacations that are inexpensive, yet full of learning and relaxation

Karen runs the website Nourishing Tweens. She specializes in planning amazing family vacations that are inexpensive, yet full of learning and relaxation.

Her website, www.nourishingtweens.com, also has tips for raising healthy, happy, thoughtful tweens and teens.

Follow her on Instagram at www.instagram.com/nourishingtweens Facebook at www.facebook.com/nourishingtweens and Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/karenposselt

Today Karen spills tea on a topic I believe we all as parents need to be aware of.

How Parents Can Help Prevent Teenage Suicide?

Why we need to talk about suicide

This isn’t a topic any parent wants to think about. Unfortunately, the responsibility falls on us as adults to prevent suicide, so we need to think about what to do whether we like it or not. Suicide rates among young people have been rapidly increasing over the past few years. In the US, suicide is the second most common cause of death amongst 10-34-year-olds (after accidents). In the UK, there were 177 suicides among 15- to 19-year-olds in 2017, which was up significantly from previous years. The biggest increase everywhere is amongst tween and teen girls. In the UK, suicide is now the leading cause of death for girls ages 5-19.

Why adults need to take action

Many schools are taking action by teaching students to look out for each other. That is necessary since kids often tell each other things that they wouldn’t tell adults. However, adults need to take the burden off of those kids. Parents need to open up the conversation and take the weight off of the young person’s shoulders. We need to let our kids know that if they hear something, they need to tell us so WE can handle it. Teenagers are under so much pressure, and their mental health is suffering. They need to know that the adults in their lives can help.

Know the signs

70-80% of the time, there is warning ahead of time that a person is thinking of suicide. Parents need to know the signs and look for them not only amongst our own children, but we should also be looking at our child’s friends and other kids that we interact with. These signs include:

• Expressing hopelessness about the future

• Withdrawal from friends and/or family

• Sleeping more or less

• Anger, irritability, or sadness that seems out of character

• Changes in appearance

What to do if you are concerned about your child

What if you notice some of these signs in your own child? ASK. If you hear hints – ASK. Some adults are afraid that if they mention suicide to their child, it will put the idea into their head. It won’t. Don’t be afraid to ask. Don’t avoid it. Often, people become suicidal because they feel alone. You need to talk to your children so they know you are there for them. People become suicidal because they are in pain and they want their pain to end. Help them deal with their pain. Be with them in the pain and help them endure.

How can you prevent your child from getting to this point?

Starting from a very young age, you can help your children. You need to love them and spend time with them and let them know they are important – you are already doing all of these things! To build their mental health, you need to:

• Build up their resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from problems. For more on this topic, read my article about how to help your kids become more resilient.

• Teach your children to have a growth mindset. Growth mindset is the idea that you have the power to increase your intelligence and abilities through hard work and persistence. People who have a growth mindset feel like they have more control over their lives. For more information, read my article about how to raise your kids with a growth mindset.

• Limit screentime and social media. Studies have shown that screentime affects brain development.. In the US, there is a growing movement to not allow children to have social media or smartphones until 8th grade (age 13/14). It’s called “Wait until 8th.” Social media is known to affect mental health, increasing depression and anxiety. It exposes children to cyberbullying and takes time away from other more healthy activities.

Resources for suicide prevention

Befrienders.org is a worldwide group working to prevent suicide. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255. Samaritans is a group that is working toward suicide prevention in the UK and can be reached at 116 123.

Remember parents – we are all in this together. If we all dedicate ourselves to raising our kids right and looking out for other people’s children, too, we can make a difference.

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