On Thursday, February 2nd at around 10 am, the stepfather of a student died by suicide inside Pickerington Ridgeview Jr. High. While no students or teachers witnessed the suicide, there is no doubt they will need support as they process the events of that day. This is also an unfortunate reminder that suicide is an ever-present risk to all families and communities. Trauma Support Hearing about and/or experiencing a traumatic event can have a big impact on mental health. After a traumatic event, it is important to talk to your youth. This may feel uncomfortable at first, but having these conversations help them feel safe. Some prompts to initiate the conversation with the youth in your life are:
- What do you know/think/feel about what’s happened?
- What are your friends saying about this situation?
- This must have been very scary for you. I was scared too. Do you want to talk about it?
- What are some things we can do as a family to help you feel safer?
You may not have all the answers to their questions and that is ok. Respond by saying, "That's a good question. I don't know. Let's find out together." It is understandable that traumatic events also impact adults. If your feelings are overwhelming, postpone the conversation and reach out to your own support system. Suicide Prevention Resources Suicide is the second leading cause of death for children, adolescents, and young adults ages 15 to 24. For young people, connection to supportive adults in their lives can act as a protective factor against suicide risk. Understanding how to talk about suicide is critical to developing that connection. However, it is often difficult to start a conversation about suicide and help someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts. The resources linked below can help people feel equipped and empowered to initiate important conversations around suicide and stigmatized grief. |
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