Suicide Prevention & Awareness
This resource has been created to help parents, teachers, or other youth serving professionals who may be concerned about their military child’s or adolescent’s mental or emotional well-being. Talking about suicide prevention and awareness are challenging conversations for anyone to lead. Err on the side of caution and take proactive steps to be prepared for difficult conversations. While parents or other caring adults may sense signs of mental or emotional health struggles, not everyone feels equipped to approach these difficult conversations. This toolkit includes comprehensive resources on suicide prevention and awareness, suicide loss and grief, and specific tools and strategies for professionals, schools, and other youth serving providers (OYSP).
It is important to embrace the evidence-based approach to public health regarding suicide prevention and awareness. Normalize regular check-in conversations with children and teens (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline [NCTSN], 2020). Parents and/or guardians should always trust their gut and check-in if they are concerned or notice changes in behavior. Remain calm, listen actively, and try not to become overly anxious about approaching this topic. Knowing when to step back or press into difficult conversations about mental health and suicide is key (NCTSN, 2020).
Parents and teachers can model healthy habits for mental and emotional wellbeing. If a military child has a history of anxiety, depression, self-harm, substance abuse or suicidal ideations, monitor them closely and consider involving other youth serving professionals like school counselors, Military Family Life Counselors, or other medical professionals (CDC, 2020, CDC, 2022).
The following scenarios indicate a person may be at immediate risk for suicide. If someone says any of the following statements, contact the National Alliance for Suicide Prevention by calling or texting 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
- 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.
Other behaviors may also indicate a serious risk or may be related to a painful event, loss, or change (Kaslow, n.d., Smith et al., 2021, SAMHSA, n.d.).
- Talking about feeling trapped
- Experiencing unbearable physical pain or headaches
- Feeling like they are a burden to others
- Change in social interactions
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Being anxious or worried often
- Sudden reckless or impulsive behavior
- Self-harming
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Feeling isolated or withdrawing
- Getting in fights or not getting along with others
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Extreme mood swings
Fact Sheet and Helpline Resource Directory
A free nationwide peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and support to teens and young adults.988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
National Action Alliance Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis LifelineSuicide Prevention Toolkit: Parent, Educator, Youth Worker, Coach
You can make a difference and help us fight the “Silent Epidemic” of youth suicide.The Jason Foundation Parent Resource Program
Information, tools, and resources to help you identify at-risk youth and know how to assist them in getting help before…Mental Health for Military Families
NAMI Homefront: Support, Help, and Hope Starts Here. Online mental health resources for military service members, veterans, and their families.Different Circumstances Different Explanations
Learn to adjust conversations with children according to the circumstances of their loved one’s death.10 Things About Suicide Loss
Time-tested truths TAPS believes in and shares with you for healing.Tools for Parenting After Suicide
Military OneSource toolkit with information to walk you through important steps to help you find compassionate support.Draw It Out! Helping Kids Grieve
Comfort a grieving child with these interactive drawing activities.MHTTC National School Mental Health Best Practices
Implementation Guidance Modules for States, Districts, and SchoolsSuicide Prevention for LGBTQ – Public Education
Competent suicide prevention starts with how we educate ourselves and each other.Youth Risk Behaviors Surveillance
Finding hope after surviving a suicide attempt is possible. The 988 Lifeline is available for support, 24/7.Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences
CDC report highlighting the challenges our nation’s youth faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. (2020, October 27). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/index.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC. (2022, March 31). Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES). https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/abes.htm
Child Mind Institute. (2022). Transforming Children’s Lives. https://childmind.org/
Education Development Center, Inc. (2022). 988 messaging framework. National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. https://suicidepreventionmessaging.org/988messaging/framework
Kaslow, N. (n.d.) What to do if you’re worried about suicide. Child Mind Institute. https://childmind.org/article/youre-worried-suicide/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. (n.d.) We can all prevent suicide. Suicide Prevention Lifeline. https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/how-we can-all-prevent-suicide/
Smith, M., Robinson, S., & Segal, R. (2021, October). Suicide Prevention. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/suicide-prevention/suicide-prevention.htm
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network NCTSN. (2020). Understanding Child Suicide: For Military Parents. https://www.nctsn.org/resources/understanding-child-suicide-for-military-parents
Suicide Prevention & Awareness: Strategies & Tools Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (n.d.) Suicide Prevention Resources. https://www.samhsa.gov/tribal-ttac/resources/suicide-prevention
Disclosure Statement: These tools are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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