It Affects Everyone: How to Talk about Mental Health & Suicide

Suicide is one the leading causes of death in children and young adults. Talking about it is literally life-saving.⁣
⁣
Suicide is a topic most people are aware of but tend to avoid because it feels too big and scary. There’s a lot of stigma and misunderstanding around suicide, so it generally doesn’t get the attention it deserves.⁣
⁣
Rates of mental health problems in general, and suicide specifically, have increased significantly since the pandemic. Suicide has become a top 9 cause of death for people age 10-65, and it’s the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-14 and 25-34 in the US. Those numbers don’t include the millions who struggle with thoughts of suicide.⁣
⁣
This issue needs to be on everyone’s radar so we can provide appropriate support. While it can be a scary thing to think about, I want to stress that there is a tremendous amount of hope we should have for kids struggling in this way. Parents and professionals can play a key role in providing proactive support, as well as effectively supporting survivors. ⁣
⁣
I also want to spotlight that some of you as parents are dealing with this issue personally, and may feel like you can’t share your pain and struggles with anyone for fear of being misunderstood or ostracized. I want you to know that you are not alone, and struggling with suicidal ideation or being a survivor of suicide doesn’t make you a bad parent or person. All parts of you, and your children, are welcome and supported here.⁣
⁣
When I thought about who I’d want to have this discussion with on the podcast, there was no question that it needed to be my dear friend Erin Matlock @erinlmatlock . She is a suicide survivor who generously shares her story around her mental health challenges that began in childhood and led to multiple suicide attempts, and the lifetime of recovery she’s committed to since. This conversation is emotional, informative, and life-saving.⁣
⁣
RESOURCES & LINKS:
____________________________________________
Life Will Get Better [Book] - www.drbeurkens...
Dr. Nicole Beurkens [Website] - www.drbeurkens...
____________________________________________
►Blog: www.drbeurkens...
►Podcast: www.drbeurkens...
►Workshops: www.drnicolewo...
►Subscribe: bit.ly/2Z2lIaJ to learn more
►Find me on Facebook: / drnicolebeurkens
►On Instagram: / drnicolebeurkens
►On Twitter: / drbeurkens
Check out my book ►
LIFE WILL GET BETTER - Simple Solutions for Parents and Children with Attention, Anxiety, Mood, and Behavior Challenges
/ @drnicolebeurkens
#mentalhealthawareness #suicideprevention #raisingkids

[@millybuskila4508]

What if the parent is the suicidal one? Like me