Youth Suicide Prevention During the Holidays

Help is available in many shapes and sizes

The holidays typically see lower suicide rates, but that doesn’t mean the threat disappears. For many adolescents, the holidays are a time of struggle. Those struggles can plant the seeds that may lead to suicide in the future. 

If your teen might be at risk of suicide, seek immediate help by calling 988 (the National Suicide Hotline) and long-term help in the form of professional adolescent behavioral health services. Read on to learn how you can help your teens during the holidays and beyond.

Youth Suicide Prevention Tips

Acknowledge that the holidays aren’t the happiest times for everyone. Teens can feel increased pressure to please family members, stay busy, and put others’ feelings ahead of their own. You can talk to your teen about mental health and help improve their state of mind during the holidays by doing the following:

• Ask them to share their feelings.
• Show them you’re concerned. 
• Let them know you hear and understand them.
• Tell them they’re not alone.
• Ask how you can help them.
• Find trusted adults they can talk to—they don’t always want to tell their parents everything.

The signs of adolescents contemplating suicide can be subtle, but they’re usually there if you look for them and show that you care.

When to Seek Professional Help

Being a friend and supporter isn’t always enough to prevent suicide. Working with an inpatient adolescent behavioral health program can equip your teen with the tools they need to live a higher quality of life. Contact us today to learn more.

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