It's disturbing to read that in the U.S., "suicide is the
second leading cause of death among children and adolescents ages 10-24, and
the third leading cause of death among 12-year-olds." Aside from
genetic predispositions, structural racism and other forms oppression,
contributing factors are the ways that schools thoughtlessly and reflexively
objectify students, reducing their worth to a number on a standardized test.
This harms
them and makes them feel powerless to change the world, much less their life
circumstances—including that of their families and communities. Worse yet, what
gets reinscribed are reductive, sterile, and alienating ways of knowing that get normalized in the
process. Where is community in all of this? Our communities get objectified, too.
Our teachers are adversely impacted, as well. According to one study in the United Kingdom, 1 in 10 teachers takes antidepressants. Ample research demonstrates high levels of anxiety and mental health issues among them, generally. However, the brunt of all of
this is arguably born by our children and youth who frequently have fewer defenses or who lack access and can afford the supports that they need.
All
of this is an artifact of policies and practices that are designed to
create hierarchies that are premised on competition, individualism, and
ultimately, the false notion of white supremacy that hurts Anglo children and
youth, too, since we don't get one without the other. That is, the race that we put all children on since birth is way too much stress, even for the more privileged among us.
The good news is that change is indeed possible. That's why I and so many others
advocate for eliminating high-stakes testing and Ethnic Studies. Regarding Ethnic Studies, if done well, it re-humanizes schools and
helps all children to be powerful and to derive an enhanced sense of self and
purpose in life.
Schools
themselves benefit, too. If for a moment, they get off the economic model
bandwagon to—as the late Brazilian educator, Paulo Freire, advocated—put
learning itself at the services of social justice.
I myself feel very
blessed and fulfilled to have a job that allows me to do this on a daily
basis. It wish this for all of our youth. Why can't we have a
world where what we do in our lives, on a regular basis, serves the greater cause of fairness, equity,
and social justice?
Peace, love,
and justice for all in 2020. 💗🙋😁🍷🌹🏵
-Angela
Valenzuela
I was 10 when my uncle
Doug took his own life. I remember my mom getting the phone call and watching
her slump down the kitchen wall, hand over her mouth. I remember her having to
tell my dad to come home from work so she could tell him that his beloved baby
brother had hung himself.
Doug had lived with us for
a while. He was kind, gentle, and funny. He was only 24 when he died.
My uncle was so young—too
young—but not as young as some who end their lives. Youth suicide in the U.S.
is on the rise, and the numbers—and ages—are staggering.
According to the CDC, the number of 10 to 14
year-olds who took their own lives nearly tripled from 2007 to 2017. In the
U.S., suicide is the second leading cause of death among children and
adolescents ages 10-24, and the third leading cause of death among
12-year-olds. In at least one state, Ohio, suicide has become the leading cause of death for
kids ages 10 to 14.
It seems unfathomable that
so many kids so young could want to end their own lives, much less actually do
so, but that's the reality we're facing. Parents, caregivers and educators have
to watch for red flags far earlier than most of us would ever imagine.
So what is behind this
uptick? Why are more kids today dying by suicide than in recent generations?
An increase in mental
illness is playing a big role. The vast majority of people who attempt to
take their own life are struggling with a mental illness, such as clinical
depression. And according to a study from the American Psychological Association published
in March of 2019, certain types of mental illness have dramatically increased
among young people—and only among young people—in the past
decade.
"More U.S.
adolescents and young adults in the late 2010s, versus the mid-2000s,
experienced serious psychological distress, major depression or suicidal
thoughts, and more attempted suicide," said Jean Twenge, PhD, lead study author and professor of
psychology at San Diego State University. "These trends are weak or non-existent
among adults 26 years and over, suggesting a generational shift in mood
disorders instead of an overall increase across all ages."
Twenge believes that
relatively sudden cultural shifts in the way kids spend their leisure time may
be behind the spike in mental illness. "Cultural trends in the last 10
years may have had a larger effect on mood disorders and suicide-related
outcomes among younger generations compared with older generations," she
said. "These results suggest a need for more research to understand how
digital communication versus face-to-face social interaction influences mood
disorders and suicide-related outcomes and to develop specialized interventions
for younger age groups."
So what can the average
American do about this trend? How can we help?
Experts point to multiple
avenues for helping prevent, identify, and treat mental illness that can lead
to suicidal thoughts, as well as ways to make suicide attempts less likely.
- Encourage basic health
maintenance
The first thing our
daughter's therapist told us was that therapy for her anxiety wouldn't be
nearly as effective without the basics of good sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
While none of those things are cures or treatments in and of themselves,
inadequate sleep, poor dietary habits, and lack of exercise can all affect
mood, sometimes in dramatic ways, making mental health struggles worse.
Encouraging healthy habits in our kids creates a foundation for better health
overall, including mental health.
- Help kids be conscious
of how digital media can affect them
Dr. Twenge emphasized how
the ubiquitous screens in kids' lives can impact the healthy habits mentioned
above, as well as healthy social interactions:
"First
and most important is to get enough sleep. Make sure your device use doesn't
interfere with sleep—don't keep phones or tablets in the bedroom at night, and
put devices down within an hour of bedtime. Overall, make sure digital media
use doesn't interfere with activities more beneficial to mental health such as
face-to-face social interaction, exercise and sleep."
The pressures of social
media and the potential for bullying and social isolation that goes along with
them can also certainly play a role in a child's mental health. We have to be
aware of how the online world impacts kids, be wise about when and how we
introduce electronics, and help them navigate the digital landscape as they go.
- Be aware of risk factors
and watch for warning signs
Boston Children's Hospital offers parents
and caregivers a list of factors that put kids at risk for suicide as well as
warning signs to look for:
Risk Factors:
· Mental
illness/psychiatric diagnosis
· Family
history of suicide and/or exposure to suicide Family history of mental illness
· Physical/sexual
abuse
· Losses
· Aggressive
behavior/impulsivity
· Lack
of social support/social isolation
· Poor
coping skills
· Access
to ways of harming oneself, like guns, knives, etc.
· Difficulties
in dealing with sexual orientation
· Physical
illness
· Family
disruptions (divorce or problems with the law)
· Traumatic
event
Warning Signs:
· Preoccupation
with death (e.g., recurring themes of death or self-destruction in artwork or
written assignments)
· Intense
sadness and/or hopelessness
· Not
caring about activities that used to matter
· Social
withdrawal from family, friends, sports, social activities
· Substance
abuse
· Sleep
disturbance (either not sleeping or staying awake all night)
· Giving
away possessions
· Risky
behavior
· Lack
of energy
· Inability
to think clearly/concentration problems
· Declining
school performance/increased absences from school
· Increased
irritability
· Changes
in appetite
- Get professional help
early
If your child does seem to
be exhibiting signs of depression or suicidal thoughts, don't hesitate to get
help. It's easy for parents to think that a kid is just going through a phase
or that it isn't really "that bad," but there's no harm in seeing a
therapist even if you're not sure it's necessary. At worst, mental health
professionals can help your child learn about how their brain works and give
them tools to manage their thoughts and emotions. At best, early intervention
may save a child's life.
- Talk openly about
suicide and suicidal thoughts
Research shows that asking someone if they
are feeling suicidal does not lead them to suicidal thoughts. Asking a child
who seems depressed if they have thought about wanting to die or wanting to end
their life is an important question that may help a child verbalize thoughts
they've been afraid to share. Boston Children's Hospital recommends using
clear, straight-forward language, such as "I'm worried about you. Have you
been having thoughts about wanting to die or killing yourself?" It may be
uncomfortable to bring up, but making it a topic of conversation conveys the
message that it's okay to talk about it.
- Smash the stigma of
mental illness
Many kids hide their true
feelings because of the negative stigma surrounding mental and emotional
struggles. Talking openly and matter-of-factly about mental illness is an
important part of breaking the stigma. No one should feel ashamed or
embarrassed to be struggling with their thoughts and emotions, any more than
people should feel ashamed or embarrassed to struggle with physical illness.
It's important for kids to know that they aren't alone, that these issues are
common, that it's not their fault, and that there are ways to treat and manage
them. Talking about a therapy appointment should be as normal as mentioning a
physical check-up.
- Keep guns out of kids'
reach
While there are multiple
methods for suicide, firearms are by far the most immediate and lethal. Since
access to weapons is a risk factor for suicide, how they are stored in the home
makes a huge difference.
An NVISS study of firearm suicides among
youths ages 17 and under occurring over a two-year period in four states and
two counties found that 82% used a firearm belonging to a family member,
usually a parent. When storage status was noted, about two-thirds of the
firearms had been stored unlocked. Among the remaining cases in which the
firearms had been locked, the youth knew the combination or where the key was
kept or broke into the cabinet.
It's worth noting that
families without guns at home have the lowest suicide rates. But for those who
do own firearms, safe storage matters.
In a world where children
are increasingly taking their own lives, knowing what to look for and how to
help is vital. We can also strive to make sure young people know they have
support and feel a sense of hope for the future. Suicide touches all of us
eventually, so it's up to all of us to help prevent it in whatever way we can.
If you or someone you love
is thinking about suicide, call the 24-hr National Suicide
Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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