Helping Teens Who Are Suicidal

The more we talk about teen suicide, the numbers and the opportunities for prevention, the more the chance there is to prevent deaths. Suicide affects people of all ages, but teens can definitely benefit from hospitals taking advantage of the SPTS mental health toolkit so that staff know how to respond when teens come in.

Main risk factors for people being suicidal

Suicide is complex there is no one risk factor or one warning sign, there is a combination of factors. People from all parts of society, age, ethnicity, gender and so on can be at risk. Some of the main risk factors to keep in mind are;

• Having a history of attempted suicides puts someone more at risk as they are more likely to make another attempt
• People with substance abuse or alcohol abuse are more at risk
• People with mental disorders and something like anxiety or depression are more at risk
• People dealing with chronic pain
• People who are at risk of family abuse or violence
• Having a family history of substance abuse or suicide
• Having guns in the home

Not everyone who has a risk factor is going to think about it or try it. It is not always obvious who will, but these factors and then knowing the warning signs are how we can prevent at least some of them. Talking about it will not lead someone to do it. Things like bullying, loss, school problems and so on can be factors that contribute but it does not always have to.

What you can do to prevent a suicide

• Ask them if they are thinking about suicide. Listen to their answer carefully.
• Keep them safe however that might be, remove the item they are planning on using for example.
• Be there for them without judging what they have to say. Acknowledging and connecting with them can drastically help.
• Help them by connecting them with resources, phone lines and so on who can help. Suggest they see a mental health professional.
• Stay connected by reaching out now and then to check on them. Follow-up is very important.

SPTS mental health toolkit

The idea behind this toolkit is that it helps staff in an emergency department when a teen comes in having a mental or emotional crisis. When they are confused or scared it can be hard to communicate with them to know how to help them best, and it is important to keep them safe. This toolkit from the SPTS is an aid to teach staff what to ask, what to do and what to expect and how to react.

SPTS Behavioral Health Toolkit

Where the mental toolkit is geared towards emergency departments in hospitals who see teens coming in, the behavioral health toolkit is there for parents and caregivers to learn about the warning signs, about mental health issues, and what resources there are to help. Parents can better help their child, get them the help they need from the system and ensure they respond in time to something that might have them worried. They can learn what to do, what and how to ask and what to expect.

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Created on Jul 12th 2023 01:13. Viewed 72 times.

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