Talking to your children is the best preventive measure for teen suicide, acccording to a recent presentation I attended.
The problem my circle of friends arose is that we do talk to our children. We are involved in their academics and extracurricular activities. However, our kids, like other teens, also exhibit typical adolescent behavior, like mood swings, prioritizing friends, attitude, sleep deprivation, and etc. How do we differentiate between normal teen behavior and depression?
On the topic of teen depression, we can’t undermine the importance of mental health among college students and adults.
All the recent talk on mental health led me to think back to chain posts on social media where individuals claimed they and their house were available for anybody needing an ear to hear.
It’s worrisome to read chain posts announcing so and so are available when you need them. If a person suffering from depression had the strength to reach out, they would talk to their family and friends or contact the proper professionals; not follow a random post on social media.
If a person could communicate their worries over a phone or through a pen, they would. They are stuck in the pessimistic dark cycle that articulating “what is wrong?” is a difficult task.
Instead of posting on social media and announcing your availability, genuinely reach out to your family and friends. Know where to look for them and don’t leave them behind. Hold their hand, walk with them through their journey. Don’t let them tackle the journey on their own, because if they could, they would have.
They may be downplaying their presence so show you care by picking up your phone, driving by their house, taking them out for coffee. And if you don’t know what and how to look for loved ones suffering from depression, then don’t post it on social media that you care.
Don’t say I asked and I checked in when all you did is ask “how are you?” If they could articulate in words how they are, their response would be more than a “fine”.
Hold their hand and be patient.
Open your ears for whatever gibberish comes out, don’t criticize. Avoid giving your opinion. Just listen and be a part of their journey.
If they lose their battle and say their final goodbyes, don’t shed a tear with what ifs because you weren’t there to be a part of their journey.
Take away message is to keep checking on your family and friends, especially the ones that have distanced recently. They may not be okay. They probably won’t tell you they are not okay, so listen when they try.
Be available to listen …. without your two cents and eye roll. Just listen!
