Indy Star
Last Monday, April 28, several students in Zionsville, IN re-posted a video of an eighth grade student posted on Google+ in which he discussed his thoughts on suicide. On April 25, he hung himself. The day after he died another Zionsville student attempted suicide by overdose.
Dr. Adelaide Robb, director of psychiatry research for the Children’s
National Medical Center, said when teens see someone talk about suicide on
social media — and go through with it — it can appear to give permission for
others to do the same.
Therefore it's important for parents to be vigilant. Katherine
Kivisto, a University of Indianapolis professor of psychology, said suicide threats on social media are rarely a false
alarm. They are a cry for help, and it's important for parents to know the signs and intervene in a timely manner.
Indianapolis psychologist Robbi Crain says, “The key thing in responding to
those suicidal threats or talks is not to overreact, but also not to
under-react.”
Drug and alcohol use, change in eating and
sleeping habits, verbal or physical aggressiveness, loss of interest in
activities they used to like, and physical symptoms, such as stomach
aches, head aches and fatigue, can all be warning signs, according to the American Academy of
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
"See something say something" is a Staying Alive mindset especially when raising, or working with, teenagers!
No comments:
Post a Comment