NO MORE WHISPERS ABOUT
MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
Let’s talk about suicide prevention among youth
Peter Bolo, MD is a Psychiatrist On-Staff at Atlantic Health System’s Chilton Medical Center
s
uicide among
teens and young
adults has been in
the news. The
behavioral health
conditions most commonly
associated with suicide
among youth are depression,
trauma and stress-related
disorders, and substance use
disorders.
One dilemma is that
trauma and stress-related
disorders can be more
difficult to identify with
children than with adults.
Most adults can identify the
traumas and stressors in their
life but children who suffer
trauma and stress (for exam-
ple, molestation, physical or
emotional abuse, rejection
or abandonment, domestic
violence, peer bullying) often
do not realize that they have
been victimized and don’t see
the connection between such
events and circumstances,
and ways they think, feel and
act, including feeling suicidal
and injuring themselves.
If you or someone you
know may be at risk, here
are some warning signs and
steps to guide you through
a crisis.
Suicide Warning Signs
IMMEDIATE RISK
• Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself
• Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as
searching online or obtaining a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no
reason to live
SERIOUS RISK
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or feeling isolated
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Displaying extreme mood swings
On Saturday, Sept. 15, Chilton Medical
Center and Atlantic Behavioral Health is
hosting a free community focused event –
FESTIVAL OF HOPE – to promote education
about suicide prevention and mental health.
F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d t o r e g i s t e r , g o t o :
A tl a n t i c H e a l t h . c v e n t . c o m / F e s t i v a l O f H o p e .
Make and keep a safety plan
Recognize your personal warning signs : What
thoughts, images, moods, situations and behav-
iors indicate to you that a crisis may be develop-
ing? Write these down in your own words.
Use your own coping strategies : List things
that you can do on your own to help you not act
on urges to harm yourself.
Socialize with others who may offer support
as well as distraction from the crisis : List
people and social settings that may help take
your mind off difficult thoughts or feelings.
Contact family members or friends who may
help to resolve a crisis : Make a list of people
who are supportive and who you feel you can
talk to when under stress.
Contact mental health professionals
or agencies : Make a list of names, numbers
and/or locations of clinicians, local emergency
rooms and crisis hotlines. Put the Suicide
Lifeline number, 1-800-273-8255, into your
phone.
Ensure your environment is safe : Have you
thought of ways in which you might harm your-
self? Work with a counselor to develop a plan to
limit your access to these means.
Suicide is preventable. With help comes
hope. Help a loved one, a friend or yourself.
Call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Free, confidential and available 24/7.
Supplement to wayne magazine