Leaving The Valley

In the conclusion of our three part series on youth suicide, we share info specific to the mental health needs of young adults. As kids head off to college or move out of the house, there are often different mental health challenges that can arise. While some young adults settle into their new independence, others have a much harder time adjusting, especially if they have a diagnosed mental illness or have needed extra care and attention to thrive. We also go over questions from our audience about things every parent should know about suicide prevention, regardless of the age of their child.

In Part II of our series, we continue our conversation about what parents should know about youth suicide. In this episode we explore how to tell if your child is suicidal. Many, many parents do not realize until it is too late that even young children can be vulnerable to suicide. There are many ways to help a young person, but it starts by not dismissing the feeling that your child could be in danger. If they've been through a triggering event and their behavior starts changing, such as their grades slipping, it might be time to ask them, "Have you thought about killing yourself?" We go over how exactly to ask and better ways to respond in order to provide meaningful help.

Young people are amongst the most vulnerable to thoughts of suicide. Suicide is the number two leading cause of death for people ages 10-34. However, parents often fail to recognize the danger their children may be in until it is too late. In this episode, we'll explore what might cause a young person to become suicidal. We'll discuss how violence and sadness are pretty typical experiences for young people. We'll also look at how the internet, social media, and cyberbullying may add to the stresses of childhood. Lastly, we'll discuss how a lack of emotional tools and impulsivity may contribute to thoughts of suicide in young people.

One of the most common misconceptions we hear about suicide is that you shouldn't ask about it. Many people fear that asking someone in distress if they have thought about killing themselves will plant the idea in that person's head. The truth is that asking is a GOOD idea! It offers an often lifesaving connection to someone who feels they have run out of options, but how you ask and how you react matters.

Can substance abuse really increase the risk for suicide? Yes. When under the influence of drugs or alcohol, our decision making is impaired, and people are not known for their great judgement when drunk or high. Often substance abuse can increase feelings of depression which may increase suicidal thoughts. Additionally, those who have struggled with giving up substance use may feel like it is hopeless or that they are a burden. These feelings are a part of the decent into "The Valley of Suicide" We'll discuss if the type of substances makes any difference in suicidality and how to know if you may have a substance abuse problem as well as how treatment can help.

In Part II of our series on PTSD and its relationship to suicide we'll explore why those who suffer from PTSD are at risk of death by suicide. Additionally, we'll cover important info for groups more vulnerable to thoughts of suicide and the critically important progress that has been made in treating PTSD and ending its symptoms.

PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) affects more than just combat vets. For example, first responders report levels of PTSD that are about equal to those of combat vets. Any traumatic event can potentially trigger PTSD, like violence, rape, car accidents, or even natural disasters. Let's discuss what PTSD really is, who can get it, and how. What does trauma do to the brain and what are symptoms of PTSD? Join us for part one of this conversation.

Depression is a word that gets tossed around so lightly that sometimes we forget what it really means or the danger it poses. We're providing a crash course in depression and its symptoms. Does it look like crying a lot? What about anxiety or even anger? Can it look different from men to women? Do these things make you more vulnerable to suicide? Why?

We've started a new, on-going segment on "Myths About Suicide" because there are a lot of them out there and they are just not helpful. If we really want to get serious about suicide prevention, we need to look at the way we talk about and perpetuate ideas about suicide. One incredibly common myth is that only "crazy" people think about suicide. This type of thinking can lead us to dismiss the warning signs that people often demonstrate when something has gone wrong.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a magic pill we could take that would instantly make us feel better? There isn't, but there are various ways we can deal with depression, anxiety, isolation, and feelings of being a burden that may help us feel better. With the right tools and work on ourselves we may be able to leave troublesome thoughts behind and know what to do if they ever pop up again.