By Peggy Brockman
In today’s world where we are living in unprecedented times of uncertainty, change in routine, and to some, the feeling of isolation, we must all keep a check on our young people. Kids are meant to be social and for many, their entire world is centered around being with friends. That may not be possible now. Going back to school is scary for many who have spent the last several months in a bubble. It is scary for the parents, for the teachers and for the kids. Some will continue to be kept at home for online studies. For all it creates a vulnerability we may not be considering. We all believe “my child would NEVER do something like that!” That is what the majority of every parent who has lost a child to suicide would have told you.
What are warning signs or behaviors that my child may be thinking about suicide?
Teen suicide often occurs after a recent stressful life event in the family, with a friend, or at school. It is important for you to know the warning signs for suicide so you can get your child the help she/he needs. A child who is considering suicide might have one or more of these behaviors:
- Suicidal ideation (thinking, writing, drawing or talking about suicide, death, dying or the afterlife)
- Dependence on alcohol or drugs
- Lack of a sense of purpose in life
- Trouble focusing or thinking clearly
- Increased withdrawal from family, friends, school, jobs and society. Poor grades may be a sign that the child is withdrawing at school.
- Lack of interest in favorite activities
- Reckless or risk-taking behaviors
- Rash, bizarre or violent behavior
- Changed eating or sleeping patterns (such as being unable to sleep or sleeping all the time)
- Deep feelings of grief, uncontrolled anger, anxiety, shame, hopelessness, guilt or anxiety
For more information and a complete copy of the document, “Suicide Prevention: What to Look For” visit www.BringHopeNow.com to download it.
There is a way you can help support our area children. United for a Good Cause, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit organization is doing their part in bringing HOPE to our area through the HOPE SQUAD Peer to Peer Suicide Prevention program. All public middle, high and K-12 schools in Okaloosa County School District will launch the program as school starts back the end of August. All OCSD elementary schools will launch the program in January 2021. In addition, Escambia County School District is starting the program in two middle schools with the start of school and more to come later. Fifty-one OCSD staff advisors where trained and certified in April to facilitate the national program now in over 800 schools around the country.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in ages 10-17 and Okaloosa county ranks in the top 10 counties statewide in the number of youth suicides ages 10-24 with at least 30 reported suicides in the five-year span of 2014 to 2018. The Hispanic suicide rate grew by 65% in that time frame.
WE MUST COME TOGETHER TO SAVE OUR KIDS AND FAMILIES! How can you help? DONATE, create a fundraiser in your business, participate in the Lip Sync for HOPE Challenge www.BringHopeNow.com/lip-sync deadline August 31), purchase a Legal or Identity Theft Plan through Legal Shield from Alycia Dukes at https://tthomas.wearelegalshield.com (50% of all profits go to Hope Squad in honor of family and friends who have experienced suicide or ideations), purchase a bag of HOPE POPS – delicious, healthy cherry suckers that boost your immune system, are made with tooth decay fighting Xylitol, Vitamin C, immune-modulating acemannan from the Aloe plant (available through a United for a Good Cause, Inc. board member) or just spread the word. YOU can make a difference in a child’s life. Visit www.BringHopeNow.com or contact Peggy Brockman at 850-259-8356 or [email protected].
