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# How To Talk To Your Teenager About Suicide
October 4, 2024
Suicide continues to be a major public health crisis in the U.S, especially among teenagers Accodring to recent data published by , one in five youth had at least one major depressive episode in 2021-22. Over half of them did not receive treatment, and of those that did, only 65% said it helped them. This makes it even more critical that parents know the signs of a mental health condition, and talk to their child if they feel they are struggling. In this blog post, we will share tips on .
## **Get your Teenager Talking**
While it can be difficult to talk to your child at this age, it is important to find an appropriate time and place to bring up the topic of their emotional well-being. Once you have found a good moment, ask your teen how they are feeling. Be willing to listen and dive deeper into the discussion. Even if they bring up an event that is seemingly insignificant but may have been upsetting, ask them more about their experience and acknowledge their feelings.
## **Be Vulnerable**
Not only will these conversations help your teen get more comfortable sharing, they will also allow you to realize that no matter how hard you try, you can never “fix” your child’s emotions. Demonstrating to your teen that life isn’t perfect, and even sharing your experiences of your own difficulties, can help them see that they are not alone.
## **Approaching the Topic of Suicide**
When speaking to your child, if they say something that raises warning signs or alludes to them thinking about self-harm, it may be time to broach the subject of suicide. While parents may worry that asking their child if they have had thoughts of suicide or self harm will put the idea into their mind,  that talking about suicide does not increase its prevalence. In fact, naming suicide, depression, and anxiety is critical to opening the door to a meaningful discussion.
If your teenager has considered self harm or suicide, ask them if they intend to follow through with these plans. The goal is to find out how far along they are in the process to help you understand how you can create a safe environment for them.  If it is clear they do not have a plan to harm themselves in the immediate future, keep talking with them. Be sure they know that these thoughts alone do not make them suicidal. You could also consider sharing your own experience with mental health to make them feel less alone.Though it may be tempting, do not steer the conversation toward problem-solving. What teens need is to feel heard, validated, and seen.
## **New Perspective Counseling Can Help**
If you are struggling to parent your child through a difficult time– New Perspective Counseling is here to help. We have plenty of therapists specializing in family therapy, which often involves helping a parent learn new parenting techniques. This kind of therapy can help you:
* Better understand child development
* Build skills that help you parent effectively
* Strengthen your connection to your children
Please give us a call or  We are here to help.
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New Perspective Counseling is a group practice dedicated to emotional wellness and healing. Our caring therapists provide psychotherapy, individual counseling, marriage counseling and family counseling in our Highland and Ferndale, Michigan offices. We are conveniently located to Milford, , , , ,  as well as communities close to our Ferndale office: , , , and , Michigan.
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# What to Do if Someone Tells you They are Thinking About Suicide
September 19, 2024
Knowing the signs of a mental health condition are critical, perhaps equally important is knowing what to do if someone tells you they are having thoughts of suicide. In this blog post, we will discuss what to do if a loved one reveals to you that they are having suicidal thoughts.
First, know that it is a positive thing that someone is willing to open up to you and share that they have been struggling. This gives you a chance to help. Read on to learn how you can support someone who is experiencing suicidal ideation.
* **Listen**. Be sure that your friend or family member knows that you are listening to them, taking them seriously, and reassure them that you are eager to listen. Show your support by expressing your care for them.
* **Encourage them to continue sharing.** Let them know you would like to hear more about what they are going through. Listen actively, ask questions, and express interest in hearing details.
* **Ask them about how they are dealing with changes in their life.**  Try to find out how long they have felt this way, and whether these feelings are impacting their life significantly. For example, ask them if they have been getting out as often, or if they have experienced any impact on their sleep or keeping up with work.
* **Stay Calm**. Even if someone has told you they are having suicidal thoughts, that does not mean they are in immediate danger. Reassure your friend or family member that help is available, and continue to ask further questions about their experience such as how often they are having these thoughts, or what you can do to help them feel safe.
* **Know when to take a break from the conversation**. Talking about suicide and suicidal ideation is a tough discussion to have. Follow the lead of your loved one, and know when to stop the conversation if it seems like things are getting too difficult for them to discuss.
## **Connecting a Friend or Family Member with Professional Help**
While these conversations can be hard, it is a great opportunity to help someone connect with a licensed professional to get the support they need. Sometimes just making that first contact with a therapist is the hardest part– offer to help your friend by looking into local providers or even driving them to their first appointment. If someone is concerned about others finding out they are getting help, reassure them that you will be as discreet as possible– and that there is nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes, circumstances may require that you enlist the help of others. In that case, encourage them to be part of the conversation.
Unfortunately, in some circumstances, one may not want help. In the event that the individual is not in immediate danger and/or is not already self-harming, do not push too hard. Be sure that your friend knows that you are there if they want to talk. You can also refer them to a , which could help them understand what it might look like to work with a doctor or therapist.
As the conversation winds down, remind your friend that you will continue to be there for them if they need to talk. If they are in immediate danger, stay with them, encourage them to call their doctor or therapist, or call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
## **How New Perspective Counseling Can Help**
, we are committed to providing caring, professional and effective services to promote your mental wellness. If you are experiencing difficulties related to your mental well-being, we encourage you to contact us today. Left untreated, problems do not go away, but can grow and lead to more distress. Our staff will guide you in finding relief from anxiety, stress and depression, and help you experience enjoyment in your relationships and a sense of purpose in your life. You will gain insight into your struggles and find positive solutions to your problems.  with one of our counselors today.
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# September is Suicide Prevention Month
September 12, 2024
. Many organizations use this time to raise awareness, educate, and discuss this pressing crisis facing people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. The month also serves as a time to shift public perception around suicide and provide support to the loved ones of those who have died by suicide, and those who may be affected by suicidal ideation. In this blog post, we will learn more about how suicide impacts individuals across the nation, how to identity the signs of a mental illness, and how to support those who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.!!
In the U.S., suicide is a growing public health crisis. It is the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-14, and the twelfth leading cause of death overall. Suicide often occurs more frequently in men, with 79% of all people who die by suicide being male. Experiencing a mental health condition may predispose one to having suicidal thoughts, which is why it is so important to recognize the signs of a mental illness. Forty-six percent of people who die by suicide had a diagnosed mental health condition. However, research suggests that 90% of those who die by suicide may have experienced symptoms of a mental health condition.
## **How to Recognize the Signs of Mental Illness**
Knowing the signs of mental illness isn’t always simple. Different mental health conditions have their own symptoms, but there are a few that are particularly common, including:
* Inability to carry out everyday tasks
* Avoiding social activities
* Changes in appetite (lack of, or increased)
* Extreme mood changes
* Excessive fear or worry
* Strong feelings of anger or irritability
* Overuse of substances such as alcohol or drugs
Whether you have identified signs in someone you love, or they have mentioned to you that they are struggling,  Studies show people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks about them in a caring way. If someone reveals to you that they have been experiencing thoughts of suicide, be sure to let them know you are listening. Encourage them to talk about what they are going through and how they are coping. Ensure that you do not make them feel judged or guilty for having these thoughts– suggest that they could benefit from professional support if they tell you directly that they have been thinking of suicide.
, we are committed to providing caring, professional and effective services to promote your mental wellness. Our therapists use an array of traditional, leading edge, and non-traditional treatments such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Art therapy, Mindfulness, Yoga and Brainspotting therapy. This allows us to try to find the best match for you. If you are experiencing difficulties related to your mental well-being, we encourage you to contact us today. Left untreated, problems do not go away, but can grow and lead to more distress. Our staff will guide you in finding relief from anxiety, stress and depression, and help you experience enjoyment in your relationships and a sense of purpose in your life. You will gain insight into your struggles and find positive solutions to your problems.  with one of our counselors today.
Additionally, stay tuned throughout the month of September as we share more resources around suicide prevention.
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