Starting Compassionate Conversations

Being a teenager today can feel unfamiliar to the way many of us may recall the past, but there are still parallels in the ways mental health, personal identity exploration, and the social pressures of family and peers play a role in emotional development. Some may be fortunate enough to have a loved one to lean on, someone to listen to their thoughts and concerns, but others aren’t always so lucky. These reasons, along with many others, are indicators why it is so crucial to understand the significant connections between mental health, risk avoidance, self-esteem, and suicide prevention. Ultimately, these factors and their presence in a teen’s life can be the determining factor between merely surviving or truly thriving.

A Foundation of Resilience

Adversity in life can, at times, feel like an all-consuming aspect of an individual’s current existence. Yet, teens who develop strong mental health resilience stand a better chance of facing it head on by being better equipped and by not falling victim to hopelessness. Tools that employ self-reflection, therapy, mindful practices, and open conversations create pathways for teens to recognize how their internal experiences affect external behavior. 

A teen understanding their feelings and practicing self-expression in safe ways is much more likely to develop healthy coping mechanisms and less likely to turn to potentially harmful behaviors like substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, or self-harm. 

Mental health isn’t just the absence of illness, it is the practice and presence of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience.

“Your existence is not a burden. May you recognize that the hard parts of your journey are also worth being seen and shared”

Importance of Understanding Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Suicide remains a leading cause of death among teens. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), 90% of those who die by suicide have an underlying, often treatable, mental health condition. Creating a dialog not only cultivates awareness, but also creates protection.

Risk Factors:

·      Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder

·      Substance misuse

·      Trauma and childhood adversity

·      Chronic pain or illness

·      Social isolation and perceived burdensomeness

Protective Factors:

·      Strong support systems

·      Effective coping skills

·      Mental health care access

·      A sense of purpose

·      Positive self-esteem

Clark County’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior data reveals:

·      21% of middle schoolers seriously considered suicide (two-thirds of which being girls).

·      36% of high schoolers felt persistently sad or hopeless for at least two weeks.

These numbers should highlight the importance of starting compassionate conversations about suicide, and not engaging in the fear that often accompanies this sensitive topic. Asking someone directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” won’t put the idea in their head, but it may save their life.

The Vital Role of Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is a crucial buffer against emotional pain and external pressure. Research has shown that teens with positive self-esteem are:

·      More likely to set boundaries

·      Better able to resist peer pressure

·      More likely to seek help when needed

·      Less likely to engage in risky behaviors

On the other hand, low self-worth can contribute to depression, at-risk behavior such as substance abuse and unsafe sexual practices, and finally, self-harm.

Building self-esteem can involve:

·      Practicing self-care routines

·      Encouraging creative expression

·      Celebrating small victories

·      Seeking mentorship and affirmation from trusted adults

·      Reframing negative self-talk with compassion

Teens believing in their own value only contributes to feelings of empowerment and the courage to make choices that align with their future, not their fears. Remember that YOU MATTER, and so do your choices.

The Power of Positive Choice

There is more to prevention than just avoiding danger, and it often boils down to choosing actions that support life. Simple coping habits that help to build resilience can be powerful if done regularly.

·      Maintaining a healthy diet

·      Getting outside

·      Connecting with someone

·      Emotional or physical expression

Exercising positive choices like these and developing real-life mentorship can be what keeps some teens on the right path. Just one supportive adult in their lives can significantly lower risks of suicide, substance abuse, and violence. Programs like Real-Life Choices help teens see that their choices matter and that their value is very real. Most of all, they recognize that help is available when they need it. Mental health, suicide prevention, and risk avoidance are all connected, and teens deserve more than just survival, they deserve support, hope, and a future worth staying for.