Teens Under Stress: A Guest Post on Suicide Prevention

Did you read our last post on Teens and Stress? Stress and suicide are real and prevalent issues among teens these days. Here is a personal entry from our Executive Director. 

My name is Donna Golob and I am the Executive Director for A Positive Approach to Teen Health. Today, I’m not writing from this position, but from my own personal experience. This is what happened to me several months ago:

I was sitting watching TV, when I got a text from my friend that read: “I need your help.  Beth (name changed to protect her privacy) is very depressed and has threatened to hurt herself and I’m not sure what to do.  Didn’t you take suicide training or something?”  

Beth is 17 years old and does really well in school. She is very involved in extracurricular activities and from the outside looking in; she looks to be happy and content. Unfortunately and sadly this is not the case. Beth suffers from stress and depression that has led to suicidal thoughts. I had no idea that Beth and her family were going through this; which is another part of the problem. The negative stigma of depression often keeps youth and their families from seeking the help they need.

My friend was right; I had gone through the ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Training) program--I should be prepared to help. My heart sank and I felt a panic wash over me. This was not a role playing scenario, like in class, but a real life situation and I was being called on to act! I went on a quick search for the booklet I had received upon completion of the training; you know the step-by-step reminder of what to do. I did my best to respond to my friend’s questions and walk her through the next couple of hours. I called a co-worker who had gone through the training with me and between the two of us; we managed to guide my friend and her daughter through the difficulty with good results. Beth was, at least for now, safe and in a good frame of mind. Her mother had a plan and felt prepared to take the necessary steps to help her daughter. 

I, on the other hand, was a mess! I felt that I should have done more, said more; a thousand “what if’s” came to my mind. The next morning, I called and scheduled another ASIST program for my full staff. The urgency was different this time, and my mind was more alert as I went through the training. For me I realized that it's  not a matter of “if” but “when” that call for help comes.    

Okay, so you may be thinking, “This is you, it’s what you do, but no one will ask me.”  Consider ingI wouldn't be so sure!  

Here are just a few of the recent headlines:

• Fox News Feb 2014: US Teens More Stressed than AdultsAmerican Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: Helping Teens Deal w Stress
• The Washington Post, Feb 2014: Stressed-out teens, with school a main cause Ivy Tech; Freshman Orientation – Chapter 14 “Stress, Health & Wellness”
• Palo Alto Medical Foundation–What Stresses Teens Out? (Homework & School # 1)
• Mental Health America–Helping Teens Manage Stress: School demands and frustrations #1. Taking on too many activities # 10
• LAST WEEK: 2 Local Teens Take Their Lives Over Spring Break 

In the 23 school districts we serve, we are aware of at least 6 suicides this year alone!  We all need to be prepared.

Teens ARE under stress and they are not prepared with the coping skills to deal with it! We need to be prepared to help them! For me, the solution was to go through the local ASIST program. PATH is doing our best to make these trainings available for you. You can find a list of upcoming trainings and related links on our website at www.pathblazer.org/ATIC2014 or find an ASIST (2 day program) or safeTALK (3 hour program) on their website at https://www.livingworks.net/programs.  

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Is your teen stressed out: Teens and Stress

Is your teen stressed out? It would seem that because most teenagers don't have the pressures of bills, careers, and raising families that they would't be faced with much stress.  This isn't necessarily true.

Did you know that stress in teens is as common as it is in adults?!  Stress in teens can be a very serious problem.  According to reports, "Inadequately managed stress can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness or poor coping skills such as drug and alcohol use." (source)

Sadly, stories like that of Madison Holleran, a 19 year old Penn State student that committed suicide from the pressure of stress about grades and sports is not uncommon  (source)

Sources of stress in teens:

• physical changes in their body
• parents’ divorce 
• death of a loved one
• moving/changing schools
• chronic illness
• financial problems in family
• having too high expectations for themselves or by parents 
• taking on too many activities 
• relationship issues
• possibly having become a young parent
• peer pressure

Be sure to look for signs of stress in your teen:

"The years as a teenager are a high-risk time for depression. Intense stress is often seen as a trigger. Possible signs of chronic stress include: upset stomach, headache, insomnia, avoiding other people, crying, irritable reactions and eating too much or too little." (source)

Try to help your teen manage their stress by:

• maintaining positive friendships
• getting enough sleep 
• avoiding caffeine
• getting regular physical activity
• eating regular healthy meals
• avoiding illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco
• decreasing negative self-talk
• taking regular breaks (from stressful situations/activities)

If you are local and want to learn more about teens and stress, you won't want to miss this:

American Teens in Crisis 2014

Teens Under Stress

American Teens in Crisis: Teens Under Stress is focusing this year's efforts to empower adults in coping with the current teen issues, improving communication and increasing commitment to today's youth. 

Get more information and register here.