Helping Teens With Coping Strategies

by Mohit J. White Hat Link Building Services

Here are a number of different strategies to help a friend, a loved one or yourself even when it comes to suicide and successful suicide prevention. Finding resources and educating yourself and the people around is the answer.

Suggestions that can help

Encourage them to wait and not rush into action

Even though they are in a lot of pain, it can help to get some distance from the spiralling thoughts they are having. That distance can help in controlling the actions they decide to take. People make rash decisions and actions when they are emotional, so tell them to take some breaths, take a minute, an hour, another day, another week and so on.

Stop them drinking or taking drugs

Taking drugs or abusing alcohol can make someone more likely to have suicidal thoughts and makes those thoughts stronger. An important part of youth suicide prevention is to avoid substance abuse. Reality, when they are sober, can be harder to face but then they can learn how to overcome problems and cope.

Avoid the things that trigger them

There are things in their life that make them feel worse and generate more suicidal thoughts. Walking past the location where a friend was killed in a car crash, the anniversary of a loss, being around a certain bully, having to use a changing room in a gender they no longer identify with and so on. Where possible they need to avoid or manage those triggers, or better prepare themselves when they are not avoidable. Make sure loved ones are around on anniversaries, have friends surround them, take a different route and so on.

Make sure they do not isolate themselves

It is very common for people with depression or those with suicidal thoughts to isolate themselves. Not just from society generally but also from family and friends. But even when they do not feel like being around people it can help and always being alone is not a good idea.

Have a good support network

An important part of suicide prevention is making sure they have a good support network. That should be a mix of family, peers, teachers, trainers, community members and so on so wherever they are, there is someone they can turn to. There are also 24/7 phone lines they should be aware of, and other resources they can take advantage of.

Take better care of themselves physically

A big part of feeling better mentally and helping with suicidal thoughts is to take better care of themselves physically. Many people with depression and such stop taking showers, or take them infrequently, do not brush their teeth, don’t care what they dress like or that their hair is not brushed. They do not get enough physical exercise, or even get outside for some fresh air each day. Looking after themselves is important in feeling better.

Summary

With these above coping strategies you can help teens, or even yourself and be better able to help with youth suicide prevention.