Whether you are a parent, caregiver, teacher, or anyone else working with kids, you likely feel the pull to help and protect them. We worry when we see children hurting and pulling away. It can be hard to talk about mental health and even harder to talk about suicide. While we can’t fully control our kids and the steps they take to get help, we can show them we care and the path to help when days get dark.

When in doubt, talk it out

If you are worried that a teen may be at risk of suicide, it’s important that you talk to them. Slowing down to be present and talk with the teen in your life shows that you see them and care about their well-being. Try to listen and ask questions. This is not the time to yell or make demands. These talks also help you see the signs of mental health problems in the teens you care about.

Encourage a re-think

Our thoughts are powerful. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) shows those thoughts actually drive our strong emotions. Although their thoughts may seem like facts, teens can learn to change their unhelpful thinking. A powerful strategy we use at Learn to Live is Thought Inspection. This tool helps them to look at their situation in a new way. New thoughts can lead to new emotions and less suffering.

Stay in the here and now

It’s common for teens to be distracted by the world around them. It’s important for kids to slow down and notice the link between the way they think, feel, and act. Some call this mindfulness, we call it Present Awareness at Learn to Live. It gives them time and space to reduce emotional reactions and help them make good choices.

Try something new

In our Depression Program we teach behavioral activation. This means that we boost our mood and outlook on life by being active even though the depression seems to tell us to just lie around. We can unplug from social media to try something new or to work on an unfinished task. We can find ways to connect to a hobby or group. As the adult in a teen’s life, it’s important to gently nudge them to give these things a try and see if their mood changes. Every small action in the right direction will add up, and over time it will make a big difference.

POWER through the options

Active problem solving is another way to help teens who are sad or have suicidal thoughts. Learn to Live breaks this strategy down into the POWER method: look at the Problem, come up with Options, Weigh the options, Engage in the options, and Reflect on the outcomes. This lets teens know that there is more than one path to take and that if they need support along the way, it’s there.

Teen mental health issues and suicide are on the rise. It remains heart-wrenching. But you can support the teen in your life when you have the right tools and show that you care.

References

Pappas, S. (2023, July 1). More than 20% of teens have seriously considered suicide. Psychologists and communities can help tackle the problem. Monitor on Psychology, 54(5). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/07/psychologists-preventing-teen-suicide

• Social factors: They may feel they are treated differently because of their gender. They may not feel equal to boys. Girls are more likely to experience sexism, violence, and harassment. It makes them uncomfortable, upset, and frustrated.
• Outside pressures: Teenage girls face more pressure to be perfect. They may be worried about how they look, their body, or the friends they have. This can lead to low self-esteem, eating disorders, and body image issues.
• Hormonal changes: Girls experience big shifts during puberty. Those shifts can cause mood swings, premenstrual symptoms, and new feelings of depression and anxiety.
• Peer relationships: Girls more often face issues like peer pressure and bullying which can impact their mental well-being.

Warning Signs to Watch For

Changes in Behavior

Look out for sudden changes in things like sleep patterns and eating habits. Irritability or extreme anger may be signs of emotional problems. 

Unstable Emotions

Teens dealing with mental health issues may have intense emotional swings. They might appear very sad, hopeless, anxious, or overwhelmed.

Social Isolation

Teenage girls may withdraw from their social lives. Look for signs of loneliness. Are they avoiding social events or ignoring friends? 

Physical Symptoms

Watch for unexplained changes like loss of appetite, weight loss or gain, or regular headaches. Don’t ignore physical symptoms that might be caused by mental distress.

Substance Abuse

Look for signs of drug or alcohol use. That can be a way for teens to cope with the emotional pain they are facing. 

Issues at School

Notice if there is a sudden drop in grades, a lack of focus, or difficulty finishing school work. These challenges may come from mental health struggles. 

How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help

If you do see signs of mental health issues, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could be helpful. CBT is a proven treatment for mental health issues as it focuses on finding and changing negative thoughts and behaviors.

For teenagers, CBT is easy-to-follow and helps them understand their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. They can learn coping skills and strategies to reframe negative feelings. With this, they are able to better manage stress. When they develop healthier ways of thinking, they feel better. CBT can help teens learn to recognize and replace self-defeating thoughts. When teens develop these skills, they will also build resilience and self-esteem.

For teenage girls in particular, CBT can help them:

• Learn to identify biased thoughts. They can be less critical and develop more realistic and positive thoughts.
• Develop a more positive self-image. By exploring negative beliefs about how they look, CBT can help teens accept themselves just as they are. They can build resilience to bounce back from issues.
• Gain tools to manage anxiety. CBT can help girls overcome their fears, reduce anxiety levels, and improve how they feel.
• Learn how to communicate more effectively. They can learn to be assertive, solve problems, and navigate friendships better.
• Set achievable goals. CBT helps girls make positive changes in daily routines and habits.

The mental health crisis among teenage girls is growing. Watch for signs of distress so you can intervene as soon as possible.