Ask.

This week is National Suicide Prevention Week.  This link takes you to a short 3 minute video clip with information related to suicide.  It's intended audience is for the parents of teens, but it applies to kids too.  I am going to ask you to stop now and watch it.  Please.

I recognize that the video is simple, not overly emotional, but wow does it hit on so many of the key messages related to suicide.  Most of all, the importance of asking.  The feeling of being alone with your thoughts, your feelings, your loneliness, your hurt, your pain, and not being able to see any way out is a key risk factor for teens having thoughts of suicide.  So ask.  Ask the people around you, "Are you ok?" Ask, "Are you having thoughts of killing yourself?"  Ask, "How are you feeling?"  And then listen.

If the answer is yes, then it is time to act.  Get your family member or friend support and help.  Something needs to change in his/ her life so that they don't have to feel this way.  And if they say no, but your gut instinct is that something is wrong - trust yourself and still seek support.  You know the people in your life best.  You know when something is wrong with your friend.  You know when they are hurting or not acting like themselves.  There is never any harm in pulling more support into their life... and it may truly end up saving their life!

If someone is in immediate danger of taking his/ her own life, please call 911 or go directly to an Emergency Room.  If you aren't sure of the level of danger, you can also call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or use the Crisis Text line by sending text to 741741 - both numbers are available free of charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you have concerns about a friend while you are at school, please come and see me or one of the other counselors at WKHS.  We are here to help!  What you and your friend are going through matters to us and you could be helping to save their life by speaking up.