Journal Riders Blog

 There are a number of factors that can lead to teens facing thoughts of suicide, or having problems with substance abuse, self-harm, depression or risk-taking. They include but are not limited to being exposed to traumatic loss, going through a life-threatening event, and seeing violence. It is important that those around teens, their parents, as well as adults at schools, should be observant and know what some of the warning signs are. This is the best way that suicide prevention can happen. Almost two-thirds of teens in schools have said they have thought about suicide. Boys are more likely to die by suicide, and girls make more attempts. Signs should not be ignored or dismissed. Why do teen suicide rates continue to rise? There are a number of reasons for the teen suicide rate being on the rise. The pandemic certainly had a negative impact as at-risk youths had to spend more time in homes where they were not safe or loved. It is also easier now than it ever has been for them...

 Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide is dedicated to increasing awareness, saving lives and reducing the stigma of suicide through specialized training programs and resources that empower teens, parents and educational leaders with the skills needed to help youth build a life of resiliency. SPTS expert program staff are available to meet your educational and professional development needs with a comprehensive catalog of dynamic workshops and training programs for schools, community groups, professional conferences and parents. Browse our catalog or consult with our office staff for the presentation that best fits your suicide prevention needs. To know more on how we can help you just visit https://sptsusa.org

 September is suicide awareness month and the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS) is capping off the month with its 4th Annual Women of Wellness & Wonder Luncheon, recognizing the critical role that women play in the emotional development of children and young adults. We all deserve to be acknowledged and elevated, which is why SPTS is hosting an event that is dedicated to women’s holistic health and wellness where community, resiliency, and well-being will be celebrated. The gathering will highlight the important work of our honorees and our featured speaker, Alisha De Lorenzo, who will discuss accessing innate wisdom and building community capacity through love, connection, belonging and healing to cultivate a more inclusive place to live, work, and grow. For ticket bookings or to be a sponsor visit our website https://sptsusa.org Please contact Stacey with any questions: Stacey Donovan, Director of Strategic Partnerships stacey@sptsusa.org

 Teens face a lot of things that can act as external and internal stressors such as physiological change, social and neurological challenges. Sometimes they can feel trapped and need help. Suicide prevention means connecting with them and seeing the warning signs and offering key support. Every day there are about 12 teen suicides which means about 5000 teens die every year. Girls are more likely to make the attempt but boys are more likely to be successful though that gap is narrowing. Here is a look at how we can all help to reduce teen suicides. How we can help to reduce suicide among teens? One of the big things you will see emphasized in any suicide prevention resources is the importance of opening communication with teens you are concerned about. Talking about it very frankly does not mean you will drive them to do it. You can start by saying you are worried about them and use phrases that are direct and then open-ended. For example, ‘I saw you were getting really angry wit...

 Despite more going into suicide prevention charity nationally and in each state the statistics for teen suicide remain grim. The rates continue to rise and what is being done is still not enough. Here is a look at the signs and what we can do to prevent it. Some of the most common signs your teen is at risk By knowing what to look for you have more chance of preventing it. Things to look for include; Being extremely impacted by the death of someone close whether a family member or close friend, especially if that death was a suicide. Making statements and generalizations about how bad life is. Giving away belongings that are important to them. Changes in their sleeping, it could be that they now sleep a lot, or that they are not sleeping as much as they need. Changes in their appetite, again it could be that they eat more than they used to or that they are eating less than they used to. Becoming isolated and not seeing their friends and not having any desire to participat...

  Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide ( www.sptsusa.org ) is dedicated to increasing awareness, saving lives and reducing the stigma of suicide through specialized training programs and resources that empower teens, parents and educational leaders with the skills needed to help youth build a life of resiliency. SPTS expert program staff are available to meet your educational and professional development needs with a comprehensive catalog of dynamic workshops and training programs for schools, community groups, professional conferences and parents. Browse our catalog or consult with our office staff for the presentation that best fits your suicide prevention needs.

 The three leading causes of death for teens 15 to 19 years old are accidents, homicide and suicide in that order. However, some experts feel that the numbers are actually worse than that and that suicide might be second or even first in the cause of teen deaths. Often suicides are reported as accidental deaths so the statistics might not reflect the reality. But even still it is a serious problem. If you take all the young deaths caused by those big scary illnesses such as heart problems, birth defects, influenza, cancer, pneumonia and AIDS, suicide takes more lives. What can be done about it? More effort and resources need to be focused on teen mental health and suicide prevention. Looking for warning signs of suicide When you know the signs and how they are applicable to your child then you can respond in a more appropriate way. Depression manifests differently in different people and that is true of teens as well. Look for things like; Changes in mood Low energy levels St...

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide ( http://sptsusa.org ) is dedicated to increasing awareness, saving lives and reducing the stigma of suicide through specialized training programs and resources that empower teens, parents and educational leaders with the skills needed to help youth build a life of resiliency. SPTS expert program staff are available to meet your educational and professional development needs with a comprehensive catalog of dynamic workshops and training programs for schools, community groups, professional conferences and parents. Browse our catalog or consult with our office staff for the presentation that best fits your suicide prevention needs.  

 Suicide does not discriminate and can affect anyone regardless of age, race, or gender.  It is now one of the top leading causes of death in the United States. Some risk factors can make someone vulnerable to suicide.  Some of these situations and conditions can include: Mental illness Substance abuse disorder Living with a terminal illness Suffering from a traumatic brain injury Stressful or traumatic situations Past suicide attempts or having a family history of suicide There are often warning signs of suicide that can be easily recognized or missed but if you notice any of these, then you can try some methods of suicide prevention.  You can talk to them, encourage them to seek help, be there for them, and more. Some of the warning signs that might be recognizable can include: Talking about wanting to die or talking about dying Mentioning strong feelings of shame and guilt Talking about feeling, hopeless, having no way out of problems, feeling empty....

 Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (https://sptsusa.org) is dedicated to increasing awareness, saving lives and reducing the stigma of suicide through specialized training programs and resources that empower teens, parents and educational leaders with the skills needed to help youth build a life of resiliency. SPTS expert program staff are available to meet your educational and professional development needs with a comprehensive catalog of dynamic workshops and training programs for schools, community groups, professional conferences and parents. Browse our catalog or consult with our office staff for the presentation that best fits your suicide prevention needs.