Part 2

Maggie Frank, LPC
Ardent Counseling
Maggie@ardentcounselingfv.com

Suicide continues to be one of the leading causes of death among teens and young adults. Somewhere, the ability to cope, communicate, and ask for help gives way, and unhealthy ways of coping with difficult situations arise. This short document is intended to help us all think more on this challenging topic, in order to talk more on this difficult topic.
Ask:
Do you know anyone who has talked about suicide?
Do you know anyone who is struggling with depression or self-harm?
Do you ever or have you ever had those thoughts?
What don’t you understand about suicide?
What have you heard about suicide?

Is there anything that you think prevents people from asking for help when it comes to suicide/self-harm/depression? What are you not talking about?
Can we agree that this topic may be kinda uncomfortable, but that we always can talk about it?
Do you think it would be helpful for you to talk to a professional about your questions?
Note to adults:
Youth and teens, and children too for that matter, are more likely to approach adults when they are going through emotional times if they know that the adult they are approaching also goes through emotional times. This does not mean that you need to have your whole life be an open book. No. But, it does mean that even though at times we have the best intention to not expose our kids or youth in our lives, to the difficulties that we face. It can very often make us seem unapproachable, because to them, and they not fully mature minds yet, we have it all together. And, that is not something the teen may feel they can relate to. We do not have to be at the same level as their friends. But, simply approachable, and someone they can be real with.

Help:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255