Commentary: WSU nurses raise awareness of teen mental health issues
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- Jaylynn Gold
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- Suzy Heugly
Noticing self-inflicted cuts on your teenager’s wrist can devastate a parent. When spotting those scars, parents may wonder if they really “see” their teen, beyond the skin’s surface. As our teenagers spend time at home during Christmas break, parents and caregivers have a perfect opportunity to see them on a deeper level.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is linked to depression and anxiety and is the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10-24. Mental afflictions also increase the risk of acquiring accompanying physical health issues, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other chronic health conditions. Unfortunately, mental illness among teens often goes undiagnosed or untreated, as some parents don’t see their child’s struggle, or chalk it up to “being a normal teenager.” This couldn’t be further from the truth.
In 2019, more than 1 in 3 high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and an astounding 1 in 6 youth reported making a suicide plan in the past year. Sadly, the pandemic that followed this survey dramatically increased that number. These numbers are unacceptable in any society, but especially one where the family is our foundation. We must raise awareness of this alarming trend, doing away with ideology that mental illness is taboo and the myth that talking about suicide increases the chance of the person following through with the act.
The good news is that you don’t need special training to really see your child and find out how they’re doing. A great way to “see” is to listen. Start by sitting down and having a conversation. Here are some practical tips for talking about mental health issues with your teenager:
- When they are struggling, just listen.
- Let your teen share at their speed.
- Don’t pass judgment or offer advice — just be there.
- Recognize that we all experience mental health differently, and that’s OK.
- Check back in, and offer to connect them to help if they need it.
In addition to talking with and listening to our youth, we can see them as we learn to recognize the warning signs of depression and suicide that may not be obvious. Four in five suicide deaths are preceded by warning signs such as suicidal threats, previous suicide attempts, preoccupation or obsession with death, depression and final arrangements. Other signs to watch for in teenagers include feeling sad, anxious, agitated, full of rage or having mood swings. Identifying these red flags and initiating a conversation with your teen can significantly reduce their risk of suicide.
It’s essential for teens to know help is available. Make sure they’re aware of 988, the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This number is easy to remember, simple to use and could be a critical intervention in the life of your child. Teens can call, text or chat 988 to connect to a trained counselor who will listen, give support and provide necessary resources.
We wish you happy holidays and happy conversations as you reconnect with and truly see your teens this holiday season.
Jaylynn Gold is a registered nurse and Suzy Heugly is a family nurse practitioner who specializes in pain management and mental health disorders. Both are assistant professors of nursing at Weber State University’s Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing, which will celebrate its 70th anniversary next year.