Warning Signs of Teen Suicide and Ways to Get Help

Dear Nancy – We received the comment you made today on our blog post about suicide warning signs. Thank you for taking the time to leave your message. I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved daughter. I know how incredibly painful it is to lose a child and have made it my life’s mission to prevent tragedies like this from happening. Teen suicide is a complex issue and we know that many teens hide their thoughts and feelings from the people around them – even the people who love them the most. I actually address this point in my Surviving the Teens program through “Steps to LAST to Help Oneself.” (https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/s/surviving-teens/Dealing-with-Depression/) I encourage troubled teens to “Let someone know what’s troubling them” because they cannot expect people to read their minds or take hints. Too frequently people who are in pain do not reach out and tell others how they are feeling and their plans. I appreciate hearing your feedback and encourage you to visit our website to see how this topic is more fully addressed. Please let us know if you have any suggestions about how we can improve our message to teens and their families. Cathy